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Frieze at entrance of
Guardian Building

It was no accident that the Detroit Jazz Fest seized the opportunity to create “A Great Day in Detroit” photo 50 years to the month of Art Kane’s iconic “A Great Day in Harlem.”  With so many legendary players from Detroit and Philadelphia on hand, it seemed the perfect occasion.

We chose the incredible Guardian Building for the venue – a striking tribute to the power of Detroit in the 1920s and the fertile environment that gave us Thad, Elvin and Hank Jones, Milt Jackson, Kenny Burrell, Gerald Wilson, Curtis Fuller and countless other jazz legends.

Our initial plans for transporting the musicians from the Marriott Hotel to the Guardian called for a 9 AM lobby call.  But the large crowds and road closings resulting from the scheduled appearance of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama at Hart Plaza forced us to move the lobby call up to 8 AM.

Executive Artistic Director Terri Pontremoli recalled, “I remember walking into the hotel lobby wondering if anyone would be dedicated enough to accommodate us.  It was amazing – James Moody, Slide Hampton, Geri Allen, Christian McBride, Jimmy and Tootie Heath, Randy Brecker, Gerald Cleaver, Derek Trucks, Kenny Burrell, Gerald Wilson, Steve Turre, Matt Wilson and others were there waiting – wide awake, back-slappin’, and telling jokes."

After breakfast in the Guardian lobby, more than 50 musicians filed (ok, well maybe it wasn’t that organized) onto the steps for this magnificent photo.

DJF would like to offer a special thanks to our Detroit photographer Ara Howrani and all the musicians, who continue to heal us with their music and gave up a few hours of sleep to help create A Great Day in Detroit.

Note: A list of artists participating in the photo is forthcoming.
 

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