Jazz pianist Hank Jones performs on the Chase Main Stage. (Ricardo Thomas / The Detroit News)
So far, the 30th anniversary celebration of the Detroit International Jazz Festival, taking place from Campus Martius down to the riverfront, has been the perfect mix of balmy late-summer weather, spicy festival food and jazz in all its 20th and 21st century permutations.
Fans saw a proud father, Dave Brubeck, become emotional after playing a rare concert with his sons. "You inspire me," he said to the audience.
As the sun faded over the river and a freighter blew its horn, British Hammond B3 whiz Brian Auger toned down his usual manic energy for an elegiac "Bumpin' on Sunset" by Wes Montgomery.
Dee Dee Bridgewater was an elegant throwback to the jazz chanteuses of the past; she evoked the sass of Sarah Vaughan, the blues of Billie and the swing of Ella.
A common refrain was, if Detroit is so bad, why are we having so much fun?
While surveying a Campus Martius packed with all ages and ethnicities waiting for Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White to perform, jazz festival chairwoman Gretchen Valade said, "I just wish the world could see Detroit tonight. This is us."
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