This Week on American Black Journal:

The Detroit Jazz Festival, Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center and this year’s poster artist Jess Fendo

The Detroit Jazz Festival, the world’s largest free jazz festival, is coming this Labor Day weekend, Aug. 30 – Sept. 2. The star-studded lineup features local, national and international musicians.

This year’s festival will be celebrated alongside the grand opening of the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University, named in honor of the late jazz advocate Gretchen C. Valade. The center is part of the Hilberry Gateway integrated performing arts complex.

Detroit artist Jess Fendo, a 25-year-old student at the College for Creative Studies, was selected as this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival poster artist. Known for her murals, acrylic paintings, and graphic design, Fendo draws inspiration from human experience and connections, shaping her artistic vision with a blend of Detroit’s vibrant cultures. 

American Black Journal host Stephen Henderson talks with Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation President and Artistic Director Chris Collins about the festival’s impact on Detroit and its global audience. Then, Wayne State University Vice President for Government & Community Affairs Patrick Lindsey talks about the Jazz Center’s impact on the university’s music program.  

Plus, in an American Black Journal exclusive, this year’s poster is revealed. Fendo discusses her creative process, the inspiration behind the poster design, and her profound love for jazz.

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2024 Detroit Jazz Festival artist-in-residence Brian Blade and The Fellowship Band performs

Drummer, composer, and bandleader Brian Blade is the artist-in-residence for the upcoming Detroit Jazz Festival. This two-time Grammy Award winner musician takes center stage during the Labor Day weekend festivities. The 2024 festival takes place Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in downtown and midtown Detroit.

Hailing from Shreveport, Louisiana, Blade grew from his gospel roots to becoming one of the most revered jazz drummers in the nation. As the 2024 artist-in-residence, Blade not only participated in multiple performances but also actively engaged with educational initiatives and community outreach programs throughout the summer spearheaded by the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation.

Watch Blade’s performance with The Fellowship Band at Wayne State University. Blade’s band, The Fellowship Band, boasts a discography spanning 25 years, with seven critically acclaimed recordings to their name, from their debut album in 1998 to the latest release, “Kings Highway,” in 2023.

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