I N - T H I S - I S S U E :

Ford Detroit Festival Highlights

BY LARS BJORN

This year's Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival over Labor Day weekend was delightful in all respects. The quality of the music was superb, the audiences were large enough to stop the financial drain of prior years (if we are to trust press reports), and the setting was just wonderful. There was plenty of sunshine and the brilliant Detroit River was filled with recreational boaters. This natural beauty could be viewed from the grassy spots between Hart Plaza and the river. The benches along the newly renovated river walk around the Underground Railroad Memorial at the bottom of the Plaza were crowded and people were reading the text, admiring the monument, and looking across the river to Canada. Another constant delight at the festival is the wondrous variety of people of all descriptions who drop by to listen, look, eat, drink, or just hang out.

I was able to sample the music on all four days and here are some of the highlights.
On Friday I found the David Sanchez Quintet surprisingly mellow and playful, with its subtle Latin touches and light swing. There were some beautiful moments of interplay between the tenorist-leader and his alto player, whose name I did not catch. The Legends of the Bandstand featured some particularly inspiring flute and tenor by David Newman and great drumming from Louis Hayes. Earlier in the day, Bess Bonnier treated us to a delicate solo version of "Polka Dots and Moonbeams." The Buddy Budson Sextet was sparked by Dwight Adams' trumpet, Danny Spencer's drums, and Budson's arrangements.

Top: Frank Morgan and Ron Brooks

Above, from left: SEMJA clinicians Ernie Rodgers, D.D. Jackson, Jack Pierson and Dennis Wilson

photographs by Lars Bjorn

On Saturday, trumpeter Derrick Gardner fired up the Rodney Whitaker Quartet when he joined them around the middle of their set on "Blue ‘N Boogie," "Lady Be Good" and "The Theme." His chops, drive, great ideas, and spirit inspired more of the same from Diego Rivera (tenor), Rick Roe (piano), and the leader on bass. The opportunity to see the ever inventive pianist George Cables with two sax greats, Frank Morgan and Sonny Fortune, was one of the peak experiences of the festival. Morgan was as impressive as ever and was able to bring a hush to the audience at the main stage with his beautiful rendition of "Lover Man." His duo with Cables, "A Flower is A Lonesome Thing," was simply a model of musical sympathy.

Labor Day was cut short by minor festival fatigue, but I was able to catch a very informative Meet the Artist session with Joey DeFrancesco. He was interviewed by Jim Gallert and talked a lot about the history and contemporary popularity of the Hammond B-3. Later he provided more concrete evidence of the acceptance of his instrument as his trio rocked a packed main stage amphitheater. Many were clapping and others yelled in support. Some danced to the groovy sounds of the DeFrancesco trio, who clearly knew how to relate to a Detroit audience. This was as strong a testimonial to the vitality of the festival as I'd heard all weekend. Festival Director Frank Malfitano's hugs of DeFrancesco at the end of the set symbolized as much. I look forward to another successful festival next year!