The Detroit Jazz Festival is a tradition for people from the entire region who look forward to the sweet sounds of live jazz in Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit. Everything was looking good for the tradition to continue this year, outdoors and in-person, but the Festival has now changed course and moved to virtual.
The Festival will be livestreamed from September 3rd through 6th. The construction of Detroit’s Hart Plaza is not quite done, and keeping large crowds safe amidst a pandemic was getting to be too much for the planners.
Chris Collins, Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation president and artistic director explained the switch, saying, “This is a winning solution that preserves the legacy of the Detroit Jazz Festival while bringing amazing performances into a virtual format.” Collins said the 2022 Detroit Jazz Festival will be “even better” at the revamped Hart Plaza next Labor Day weekend.
The Detroit Jazz Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world. The livestream will have no replays or “on-demand” capabilities. The performances will be held on sound stages in the Renaissance Center with no live audiences.
Jazz enthusiasts will be able to view or listen to performances for free in a number of ways including: The Festival’s social media channels and web page; on public radio and television stations; and on the DetroitJazzFest LIVE! App
https://www.detroitjazzfest.org/
Reporting for WGRT- Jennie McClelland
