Sunny weather, cool music draw thousands to Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival

 

     Picture-perfect Labor Day weekend weather is one factor organizers are crediting for the success of the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival.

     But top-notch national and local talent were equally instrumental in drawing crowds to the event, Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in downtown Detroit’s Hart Plaza. Although final tallies weren’t available at press time, festival organizers were estimating that the crowd this year exceeded last year’s 550,000 by thousands. Attendees were treated to sets by everyone from artists of tomorrow in the Roseville High School jazz band to local favorites such as Bess Bonnier, Jason Gittinger and Sheila Landis, to jazz stars such as Curtis Fuller, Branford Marsalis and Regina Carter.

     Despite competing for audiences with events such as the Michigan State Fair and Arts, Beats and Eats, Music Hall Marketing Director Michael Vigilant and others involved in the festival were pleased not only with turnout, but with response to initiatives introduced this year to help defray costs of the $1 million event.

     “I think we got off to a good start with some new ideas,” Vigilant said.

     The festival is the largest free jazz event in North America.

— K. Michelle Moran