Detroit Jazz Festival 2026
This year’s festival was held at Hart Plaza on three stages — which meant no more walking down Woodward to Campus Martius — and the weather was great, which is important for any outdoor festival. The music was excellent, with Joe Lovano as the Artist in Residence. Lovano appeared in several constellations over the Labor Day weekend: with his Paramount Quartet with guitarist Julian Lage; the Sound Prints quintet (with trumpeter Dave Douglas); and a celebration of Coltrane 100 with fellow saxophonist Melissa Aldana. He also participated in a Down Beat Blindfold Test on the main stage.
There was so much music that I simply had to miss some artists, like Ravi Coltrane, Kurt Elling and the Yellowjackets. One memorable performance was singer and one-time Flint resident Dee Dee Bridgewater accompanied by the brilliant pianist Bill Charlap on the JP Morgan Chase stage. They presented a program of jazz standards with their own twist on each of them. Towards the end of their program an impromptu guest appeared from the audience: a young dancer who literally jumped on stage to everyone’s delight (including Dee Dee’s). She was obviously inspired by the music!
A new acquaintance for me was Detroit tenorist Jeffrey Trent, who appeared with trumpeter Trunino Lowe and powerful drummer Louis Jones III on Saturday. Lowe has always impressed me with his soulful sound and technical finesse, and this was another stellar performance.
Ferndale-born bassist Ron Carter appeared on the Waterfront stage with his stellar Foursight Quartet on Labor Day. Carter is one of the major artists in jazz with over two thousand recordings to his name, including a stint with the Miles Davis Quintet from 1963 to 1968. His performance was a fitting conclusion to a great edition of the DJF.
TOP: Joe Lovano with Melissa Aldana (also tenor) and quintet
ABOVE: Bassist Ron Carter; Joe Lovano during interview with Down Beat
ABOVE: Cyrille Aimee
BELOW: Dee Dee Bridgewater. Bill Charlap and unknown dancer who appeared on stage from the audience
photographs by Lars Bjorn
