30 & 50

Posted by: Tom Rieke

Three days and nights of performances by some of the world’s finest musicians in Hart Plaza on the Detroit River and Campus Martius in the heart of downtown. No tickets. Every show at the Detroit Jazz Festival is free, thanks to a $10 million endowment established a few years ago by Gretchen Carhartt Valade of Mack Avenue Records.

The international border was peaceful, and the Detroit Princess steamed off toward Belle Isle with a jazzy toot from its huge foghorn.

          

Stanley Clarke. John and Bucky Pizzarelli. Hank Jones. Wayne Shorter. Chick Corea. Rodney Whitaker. Christian McBride. Larry Coryell. Chuchito Valdés. And many, many more.  Dave Brubeck proved that he’s still playing impeccable, polyrhythmic piano 50 years after his first international mega-hit. His son Chris (trombone) announced that “Take Five” was released in 1959, then joined his dad and Ann Arbor’s harmonica virtuoso, Peter Madcat Ruth, on a blues-and-funk rendition that lifted 3,000 sun-drenched music lovers into a standing ovation.

Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans, rocked Campus Martius as a full moon rose over the stage. She introduced one of her biggest hits with a reminder that it was also released in 1959: “You Can Have My Husband, But Please Don’t Mess With My Man”.

And Gerald Wilson led his big band in the world premiere of his new jazz suite, commissioned by the festival to celebrate its 30th year:  “Detroit”.

Overheard before the fireworks above the river:   “This is the best festival anywhere, ever.”   “You got that right.  And it’s all free!”  “I plan my whole year around this thing, man.  Never miss it.”  “Yeah.  And I hope I’m still here for it when I’m 100.  Only 27 more years to go.”  “My grandmom lived to 116, man.  One hundred and sixteen years!  Drank Canadian whiskey every day of her life.  Damn, she was mean.”

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