2010 has been another banner year for DJF education. With the help of a growing list of partners, we have been able to maintain a year-round presence and reach hundreds of students throughout the Detroit area. In addition, DJF is committed to providing opportunities for developing musicians to learn and perform during the festival.
Artist in Residence Program
Now in its fourth year, our artist in residence program has become an important part of our continuing efforts to enrich and support music education in the greater-Detroit area. The one-year residencies allow world-renowned artists to interact with students, teachers, community members, musicians and other artists in a variety of settings. 2010 Artist in Residence Mulgrew Miller—a preeminent pianist and educator—continues the progression of distinguished artists who have held the post: John Clayton (2009), Christian McBride (2008) and Regina Carter (2007).
Miller arrived in Detroit in April and worked with three suburban high school bands at Warren Mott High School. He also rehearsed and performed with students from the Detroit School of Arts and University of Michigan at the Virgil H. Carr Center. Returning in June, Miller performed a duo piano concert at the Detroit Institute of Arts with gifted Detroit pianist Roland Hamilton.
Jazz Week @Wayne
Founded in 2007 through a partnership between DJF and the Wayne State University Department of Music, Jazz Week @Wayne is a one-week workshop that provides 40 students from Detroit-area high schools with a full scholarship to an intensive educational experience that culminates in two public performances—including one on the main stage at the Detroit Jazz Fest on Labor Day Weekend. The program is guided by WSU jazz faculty members Christopher Collins (professor and director of Jazz Studies), Russell Miller (assistant professor and educational director of Jazz Week) and Rob Pipho (instrumental jazz and improvisation). Additional instruction is provided by guest artists provided by Detroit Jazz Fest.
Kid Bop
Our Kid Bop area is dedicated to “wee-boppers” and their families. Sponsored in 2010 by Meijer, Kid Bop features Rob McCabe’s “Tales from Around the World,” Jahara McKinney’s “Scat 101,” the Detroit Tap Repertory’s “M.A.D.D. Rhythms” and Meijer nutritionist Tina Miller.
Jazz Talk Tent
The Jazz Talk Tent features celebrated artists, writers and musicians in up-close-and-personal discussions about the music we love. This year’s edition features sessions on Pepper Adams, Ray Brown, Django Reinhardt, Clifford Brown, Betty Carter, Art Blakey and Horace Silver.
Jazz Infusion Project at Detroit School of Arts
Beginning in summer of 2009, DJF has been an integral part of jazz studies at the Detroit School of Arts. Funded in part by the Erb Foundation, the Jazz Infusion Project employs musicians from the Detroit Festival Jazz Orchestra (DJFO), who work with students during band practice to deepen their appreciation and understanding of jazz while sharpening their playing skills.
Student-led Workshops
Each year, visiting college groups conduct workshops for high school and middle school students, providing them with an opportunity to meet and interact with faculty and students from some of the top music programs in the country. This year’s sessions take place on September 4-6 at 11:00 A.M. in the Jazz Talk Tent.
Meijer Education Stage
In partnership with the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA), bands from the state that received superior ratings at the MSBOA statewide competition are invited to perform at the festival. This year’s ensembles include:
Cousino High School Jazz Ensemble (Cousino, Mich.)
Grand Rapids Northview High School Jazz Ensemble (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Ionia High School Jazz Ensemble I (Ionia, Mich.)
Lake Shore High School Jazz Ensemble (St. Claire Shores, Mich.)
Memorial Park Middle School “Big Noise” (Ft. Wayne, Ind.)—winners of DownBeat 2010 Student Awards
Michigan Youth Arts All-State Ensemble
Mount Pleasant High School Jazz Band (Mount Pleasant, Mich.)
Northview High School (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
Northville High School Jazz Ensemble I (Northville, Mich.)
Stevenson High School Jazz Ensemble (Sterling Heights, Mich.)
Troy High School Jazz Ensemble (Troy, Mich.)
Warren Mott Marauder Big Band (Warren, Mich.)
Detroit School of Arts Jazz Ensemble (Detroit, Mich.)
Detroit School of Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble (Detroit, Mich.)
DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra
Detroit Jazz Fest All-Star Youth Ensemble
Colleges and Universities
Detroit Jazz Fest annually presents some of the finest college ensembles from across the country. In 2010, they include:
Berklee College of Music Jazz Ensemble (Boston, Mass.)
Brubeck Institute Jazz Quintet (Stockton, Calif.)
Juilliard Jazz Quintet (New York, N.Y.)
Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra with special guest Randy Brecker (Lansing, Mich.)
William Paterson University Jazz Ensemble with special guest Mulgrew Miller (Wayne, N.J.)
Western Michigan University Jazz Orchestra with special guest Bobby Watson (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
Wayne State University Big Band with special guest Terence Blanchard (Detroit, Mich.)
