Detroit jazz fest reveals 2018 lineup: Straight Ahead reunion, Geri Allen tribute, more

Musicians wielding a dependably eclectic array of sounds and styles will form the heart of the 2018 Detroit Jazz Festival

Jazz-fusion pianist Chick Corea, the festival's previously announced artist-in-residence, was on hand for a Wednesday luncheon at the Detroit Athletic Club, where sponsors and other fest supporters gathered for details on the 39th edition of the annual Labor Day weekend event.

The free festival will run Aug. 31-Sept. 3, with four stages positioned in the core of downtown from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius.

Highlights unveiled Wednesday include a 25th-anniversary reunion of the much-loved Detroit ensemble Straight Ahead: Violinist Regina Carter will rejoin fellow group founders Marion Hayden, Gayelynn McKinney and Alina Morr (formerly Eileen Orr), following their pair of February shows at Grosse Pointe's Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe.

Late Detroit pianist Geri Allen will be honored in three sets led by Grammy winners Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding, performing as the festival's inaugural "resident ensemble." Allen's spirit loomed large at last year's jazz fest: She died in June, three months before her scheduled performance with 2017 artist-in-residence Wayne Shorter.

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Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation president and artistic director Chris Collins said the resident-ensemble concept is intended to become an annual feature, with a handpicked group of musicians playing multiple sets of "varying texture, instrumentation and repertoire."

As already announced, Corea will helm jazz-fest weekend with at least three appearances, including an acoustic set on opening night, an electric set the next day, and a performance with players from the Detroit Jazz Festival Symphony Orchestra to close out the festival.

Building on last year's foray into the realms of hip-hop, R&B and pop, the 2018 fest will include players such as Chris Dave and the Drumhedz (Adele, D'Angelo), much-traveled session and tour bassist Marcus Miller, and saxophonist Tia Fuller, whose résumé includes a stint with Beyoncé's touring band.

Other highlights include hot young singer Cecile McLorin Savant, husband-wife team Omar Hakim and Rachel Z (Trio of Oz) and veteran organist Lonnie Smith — whose 2014 festival set was short-circuited by thunderstorms. Trumpeters Nicholas Payton, Randy Brecker, David Weiss and Dwight Adams will honor late trumpet great Freddie Hubbard to mark his 80th birthday year.

The latest incarnation of the influential vocal group the Four Freshmen will pay homage to the 1955 album "Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones" — the record whose intricate harmony arrangements grabbed the imagination of a young Brian Wilson.

The three dozen performances announced Wednesday are the core of the jazz fest lineup. Additional performers will be announced in coming months, with updated lineups to be posted at detroitjazzfest.org.

Detroit Jazz Festival, 2018 artist lineup to date

Aug. 31

Dr. Valade’s Brass Band Led by New Orleans Legend Shannon Powell

Resident Ensemble: Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding – Tribute to Geri

Allen

Artist-in-Residence: Chick Corea Akoustic Band

Sept. 1

Straight Ahead 25th Anniversary Reunion Featuring: Regina Carter, Marion Hayden,

Gayelynn McKinney and Alina Morr

Julian Lage Trio

Dr. Lonnie Smith Organ Trio

Detroit Jazz Festival National Instrumental Competition Winner

Tia Fuller

Nicholas Payton – Afro-Caribbean Mixtape

Sasha Masakowski & Art Market

Emmet Cohen Trio

Trio of Oz featuring: Omar Hakim and Rachel Z

Artist-in-Residence: Chick Corea Elektric Band

Ravi Coltrane’s Universal Consciousness: Melodic Meditations of Alice Coltrane

Sept. 2

Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio

Harold López-Nussa with Grégoire Maret and Pedrito Martinez

Eddie Daniels Quartet with The Harlem String Quartet

Omar Sosa Quarteto AfroCubano

Karriem Riggins Detroit Generations

Hub-Tones: Freddie Hubbard 80th Birthday Celebration – Featuring: Nicholas Payton,

Randy Brecker, David Weiss and Dwight Adams

Chris Dave and the Drumhedz

Resident Ensemble: Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding – Tribute to Geri

Allen

ASABA Trio – Hirofumi Asaba

Senri Oe

J.C. Heard JazzWeek@Wayne All-Stars

Pat Martino Quintet

Marcus Miller

Sept. 3

Four Freshmen and 5 Trombones

Cecile McLorin Salvant

The Brecker Brothers Band Reunion

Resident Ensemble: Terri Lyne Carrington and Esperanza Spalding – Tribute to Geri

Allen

Christian Sands Trio

Joey DeFrancesco: Project Freedom

Artist-in-Residence: Chick Corea with the Detroit Jazz Festival Symphony Orchestra,

Conductor: Steven Mercurio