IN THIS ISSUE:

Montreux-Detroit Shines Again!

BY LARS BJÖRN

he quality of this year's Montreux-Detroit festival was as high as it ever has been. As expected the homecoming of many Detroit players who have gone to New York, or elsewhere, proved to be a highlight of the festival. Charles McPherson gave a commanding performance on Saturday, particularly with a mercurial version of "Cherokee." Tommy Flanagan delighted the audience with his very tight trio, which included Peter Washington on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Flanagan's extremely sensitive treatment of excerpts from three Ellington suites was a definite high point of the whole festival. I also had the opportunity to enjoy two Detroit reunion bands: the CJQ and the Lyman Woodard Organization. Before Yusef Lateef closed out the festival after some rain-delays on Labor Day, I heard him talk about life and music at the Pepsi Jam Academy. This was a very well attended Meet The Artist session where Lateef's carefully articulated answers captivated the audience. It is too bad that two other sessions had to be canceled. Just before Lateef's talk I was able to catch a glimpse of a very exciting combination: the astounding organist Joey De Francesco and the ever soulful tenorist Houston Person.

Bob Hurst, Geri Allen and Kenny Garrett are reunited 
with their former teacher Marcus Belgrave

A large number of students participated 
in this year's clinics