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2008 Photo Gallery  
Pre-Fest Club Series  

Jazz Fest 2008 celebrates the rich musical traditions of Philadelphia and Detroit and the “Trane” that connects them. Billed as A Love Supreme: the Philly-Detroit Summit, this year’s festival brings together many of the people who have helped shape this incredible music – from Philly jazz legends Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, Pat Martino and 2008 Artist in Residence Christian McBride to Detroit torchbearers Barry Harris, Geri Allen, Kenny Burrell, and Gerald Wilson.

The special Detroit-Philly presentations (indicated by the ) include:

• An opening night tribute to Motown’s Marvin Gaye, with Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, and newcomer José James, backed by a Detroit all-star big band, led by Christian McBride
• A bop-blowout with Philadelphians Randy Brecker, Bootsie Barnes and Christian McBride and Detroiters Geri Allen, Karriem Riggins and Perry Hughes
• Ravi Coltrane's tribute to Alice, with Jack DeJohnette, Geri Allen and Charlie Haden
• Leebop – a celebration of Philadelphia great Lee Morgan, with rising trumpet stars Dominick Farinacci, Jeremy Pelt and Brandon Lee.

Beyond the boundaries of Detroit and Philly, we have an epic battle of the big bands, pitting the legendary Count Basie Orchestra with special guest Nnenna Freelon against the Gerald Wilson Orchestra with special guest Kenny Burrell.

We also have trombones galore – from Slide Hampton, Robin Eubanks, and Steve Turre to Trombone Shorty, Bonerama, and bugs Beddow.

And for the guitar fan, the festival offers as diverse an array as one could imagine, including Pat Martino, Derek Trucks, Kenny Burrell and Calvin Cooke.

And it doesn’t stop there. So come on down on Labor Day Weekend, sit back, and FEEL THE LOVE.