Detroit Jazz Festival 2025
This year’s Detroit Jazz Festival was blessed with sunny weather and a lineup around national and local artists. The artist in residence was Jason Moran who appeared in several contexts: as a solo pianist, composer and bandleader. Moran did the music of Duke Ellington with the DJF Collegiate Jazz Orchestra. His performance was riveting in all of these settings. Another highlight was the Cuban jazz by pianist Chucho Valdes who performed on the Campus Martius stage with reed man Paquito De Rivera and the Reunion Septet. They were once part of the pathbreaking group Irakere and did not disappoint. Rivera had an exquisite tone andß on top of it a great sense of humor! Valdes is a powerful pianist in a long tradition of players from his homeland. More temperate keyboard flourishes were provided by Kris Davis and her trio.
Other notable acts included the star-studded Maria Schneider Orchestra with the great reedman Scott Robinson. A tribute to Barry Harris with the Michael Weiss trio (with bassist Peter Washingon and drummer Lewis Nash). Trumpeter Allen Dennard and his quartet, Rodney Whitaker ‘s sextet playing the music of Joe Henderson, Marion Hayden’s Legacy with Kamau Kenyatta and the James Carter Organ Trio.
LEFT: Jason Moran
RIGHT: Scott Robinson