Chicago and Detroit festivals to present a galaxy of jazz talentBy Chris Cooke
Omaha, Nebraska – The summer jazz festival season will wrap up this weekend with two of the most exiciting festivals on the planet.
The Chicago and Detroit Jazz Festivals, running Labor Day Weekend in their cities of origin, will present a wide variety of jazz performers and bands.
The 28th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival takes place Labor Day Weekend, through September 3rd in Chicago. Opening each day at 11am, the Festival presents three days of concerts on three different stages in Grant Park-and all of these are free.
Featured performers include Organissimo, Dr. Michael White's Original Liberty Jazz Band, Nneena Freelon, Joe Lovano Nonet, Rebirth Brass Band, Donald Harrison Quintet, Joey DeFrancesco Trio with Dr. Lonnie Smith and Ron Blake, and many others. For more information visit the website at chicagofests.com/jazz_festival/.
The Detroit International Jazz festival also takes place Labor Day weekend. The festival offers a galaxy of local acts and regional headliners, with an almost unlimited supply of music to enjoy. Performances are scheduled from Dr. John and the Lower 911, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Mose Allison, The Clayton Brothers Quintet, The Jaco Pastorius Word of Mouth Band with Will Lee, Ahmad Jamal, and many, many others. For more information visit the website at www.detroitjazzfest.com
Chris Cooke is the host of Jazz in the Afternoon and Last Call on KIOS-FM.