Refining Their Skills – Each band will perform for top Detroit big band clinicians, receive feedback, and participate in a post-clinic workshop.

Learning from the Best – Students can choose from additional clinics led by partner organizations and industry professionals.

Building Connections – A chance to network with fellow jazz students, professional adjudicators, and organizations dedicated to jazz education.

Ending on a High Note – The day concludes with a special performance by the adjudicators.

The festival is all about helping young musicians improve their craft, make connections, and celebrate jazz!

Morning Festival

8-8:30am - Arrival
8:30am - Warm Ups Begin
9 am-12pm - Jazz band performances /  performance attached clinics / partner-clinics / expo
12-12:30pm - Celebration and Adjudicator Performance

Afternoon Festival

1-1:30pm - Arrival
1:30pm - Warm Ups Begin
2-5 pm - Jazz band performances /  performance attached clinics / partner-clinics / expo
5-5:30pm - Celebration and Adjudicator Performance

Download Full Schedule (PDF)

Download Venue Map (PDF)

Download Local restaurant guide (PDF)

Download Parking Instructions (PDF)

Coming Soon

The Carr Center - A New Standard

Presented by: Sarah Whitaker

The session will facilitate a discussion of the jazz canon, our responsibility to expand it, and the importance of representation. The film “New Standards” created by Carr Center Artistic Director Terri Lyne Carrington and Michael Goldman will be screened. Geri Allen Fellow and Gathering Orchestra drummer Sarah Whitaker will lead the session.

Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation - “When the Lights are Low”: Offstage Life as an Artist

Presented by: Chuck Newsome

Explore two key aspects that shape a musician’s career: practical strategies for managing, marketing, booking, and promoting yourself as an artist, and navigating the mental challenges that come with life in music.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra - Rhythm Section Chemistry: Let’s Groove, Let’s Speak, Let’s Support

*Interactive - Bring Instrument*

Presented by: Darell “Red” Campbell

Learn how to play better together as a supportive rhythm section by improving cohesion through understanding how musicians communicate and support each other’s playing. Topics will include rhythmic patterns like the 3-2 and 2-3 clave, swing phrasing on the ride cymbal, and funk grooves driven by the 2 and 4. Participants will learn how to recognize and enhance each other’s musical ideas, creating a stronger, more unified sound.

MSU Community Music School - Detroit - Improvisation Fundamentals

*Interactive - Bring Instrument*

Presented by: Mark Croft

Join us for an interactive session on the fundamentals of jazz improvisation. Discover essential techniques and practical strategies to develop your unique musical voice. Through guided exercises, you’ll apply these concepts in real time, gaining hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of improvisation.

Music Hall - Improvisation and Interaction in Jazz

 *Interactive - Bring Instrument*

Presented by: Jordan Schug

Bands will learn to strengthen their improvisation and ensemble interaction skills by exploring classic chord progressions, enhancing harmonic understanding, and developing confidence in spontaneous playing. With a focus on listening, rhythmic and melodic interplay, and real-time musical conversations, this session helps students prepare for competition and improve overall ensemble performance.

JazzEd Festival Press Release