Free Jazz: A Great Day In Detroit

by Felix Contreras

Not necessarily the kind of free jazz which Lars likes. I'm talking about jazz concerts that are free of charge.

Around the country non-profit arts organizations, jazz societies and sometimes just plain old fans raise enough money to offer jazz to anyone who happens to walk by. Festivals, concerts, loft shows. Local musicians, big time jazz names and student groups. Free jazz performances of all stripes are out there if you're diligent and take time to read the small print of your local paper's events section (or a local listserv, in this age of disappearing newspapers).

Someone recently sent me this video from last year's Detroit International Jazz Festival, chronicling the taking of the Great Day In Detroit photograph (a riff on Art Kane's famous 1958 Great Day In Harlem photograph).

The photo was taken during last year's Detroit International Jazz Festival (September '08).

The DIJF is celebrating its 30th anniversary in September, and is now billed as the largest free jazz festival in the world. And that jumped out at me: it's a free cultural event in a city that has suffered more than its share of economic catastrophes. (Related: this story on Baker's Keyboard Lounge in Detroit.)

Last week I wrote about jazz as a reflection of place. I think that this festival reflects how jazz can lift the collective pride of a city and its citizens. It can boost spirits and offer a glimmer of hope for better days. Maybe that's part of why pianist Geri Allen calls it the greatest jazz festival she's experienced.

6:00 PM ET | 07- 2-2009 | permalink

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