For over 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has celebrated Detroit’s rich history of jazz music by providing year-round concerts and educational programming, and of course, organizing the world’s largest free Jazz festival, featuring world-class talent, over Labor Day weekend.

Festival Schedule:

Friday, September 1, 2023

Carhartt Amphitheater Stage (Hart Plaza)

6:00 – 6:40 p.m. Dr. Valade’s Brass Band featuring Shannon Powell
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Danilo Pérez – Gretchen C. Valade: Our Angel of Jazz
9:00 – 10:15 p.m. 2023 Rocket Mortgage Artist-In-Residence Karriem Riggins “Interplay”

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Jpmorgan Chase Main Stage (Campus Martius):

4:15–5:30 p.m. Stefon Harris & Blackout
6:30–7:45 p.m. Kenny Garrett
8:30–9:45 p.m. Regina Carter: Gone in a Phrase of Air

Carhartt Amphitheater Stage (Hart Plaza):

1:30–2:30 p.m. Wayne State University Jazz Ensemble under the direction of Professor Russ Miller
2:30–2:40 p.m. Youth Jazz Vocal Competition Winner presented by Bingham Legal
3:15–4:30 p.m. Miho Hazama and m_unit
5:15–6:30 p.m. Danilo Pérez, John Patitucci, Brian Blade “Children of the Light”
7:15–8:30 p.m. Dafnis Prieto “Cantar” featuring Luciana Souza
9:15–10:30 p.m. John Scofield Trio featuring Vicente Archer and Bill Stewart

Absopure Waterfront Stage (Hart Plaza):

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. MSBOA Showcase
2:15–3:30 p.m. The Curling League of Belle Isle
4:15–5:15 p.m. Balance
6:00–7:15 p.m. Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few

Pyramid Stage (Hart Plaza):

2:00–3:00 p.m. Trunino Lowe Quartet
3:45–4:45 p.m. Joan Belgrave The Oooo Boy Tour
5:30–6:45 p.m. Melissa Aldana Quartet
7:30–8:45 p.m. The Detroit Piano Legacy Continues

Sunday, September 3, 2023

Jpmorgan Chase Main Stage (Campus Martius):

12:15–1:15 p.m. Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra 1 “The Bebop Spartans” under the direction of Professor Rodney Whitaker
2:00–3:15 p.m. Alexa Tarantino Quartet
4:00–5:15 p.m. Joel Ross’ Good Vibes
6:00–7:15 p.m. Lizz Wright
8:15–9:30 p.m. 2023 Rocket Mortgage Artist-In-Residence Karriem Riggins “J Dilla Lives Forever”

Carhartt Amphitheater Stage (Hart Plaza):

1:30–2:30 p.m. Downbeat Blindfold
3:15–4:30 p.m. Veronica Swift
5:15–6:30 p.m. DJF Global – Connect International All-Stars; The Hurricane Trio (Italy) with Chris Collins
7:15–8:30 p.m. Dee Dee Bridgewater and the DDB Quartet 8:30 p.m. Presentation of awards
9:15–10:30 p.m. Jason Moran presents James Reese Europe and the Harlem Hellfighters: From the Dancehall to the Battlefield

Absopure Waterfront Stage (Hart Plaza):

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.  MSBOA Showcase
2:00–3:00 p.m. Collegiate Combo Competition Winner presented by Central Michigan University
3:45–5:00 p.m. Caleb Robinson & Reaching
5:45–7:00 p.m. Khamsin – Japan Exchange
7:45–9:00 p.m. Johnny O’Neal & Sullivan Fortner “Tribute to Detroit Piano Masters’’

Pyramid Stage (Hart Plaza):

12:15–1:15 p.m. JC Heard JazzWeek All-Stars
2:00–3:00 p.m. Kenji Lee’s Fortune Teller Trio: Kyudo
5:45–7:00 p.m. Nduduzo Makhathini Quartet
7:45–9:00 p.m. Rodney Whitaker Group: Spirituals of John Coltrane

Monday, September 4, 2023

Jpmorgan Chase Main Stage (Campus Martius):

12:45–1:45 p.m. University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble 1 under the direction of Professor Ellen Rowe
2:45–4:00 p.m. Dafnis Prieto with All-Star University Band
4:45–6:00 p.m. Allison Miller presents “Rivers in our Veins”
7:15–8:30 p.m. 2023 Rocket Mortgage Artist-In-Residence Karriem Riggins “Karriem and the Erratic Specialist”

Carhartt Amphitheater Stage (Hart Plaza):

2:00–3:15 p.m. Russ Miller: Beatitudes
4:00–5:15 p.m. Louis Hayes Quintet
6:15–7:30 p.m. Samara Joy

Absopure Waterfront Stage (Hart Plaza):

11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Detroit Public Schools Showcase
2:15–3:15 p.m. Evening Star
4:00–5:15 p.m. Linda May Han Oh – The Glass Hours
6:15–7:15 p.m. Papo Vázquez Mighty Pirates Troubadours

Pyramid Stage (Hart Plaza):

4:00–5:15 p.m. Jesse Palter Quartet
5:45–7:00 p.m. To Barry With Love: The Michael Weiss Trio with Peter Washington and Lewis Nash celebrates Barry Harris

Fest Date: September 1 - 4, 2023

Festival Hours:
Friday: 5:00 p.m.-11 pm.
Saturday: noon-11 p.m.
Sunday: noon-11:00 p.m.
Monday: noon-8:30 p.m.

Locations:
Hart Plaza, 1 Hart Plaza, Detroit, MI 48226
Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226

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