Bjorn to talk ‘Detroit Jazz, Then and Now’ at Detroit Center
On Tuesday, August 28, from 6-7:30 p.m., the University of Michigan Detroit Center is proud to present Music in the Key of “D”: Detroit Jazz, Then and Now. Open to the general public, this event includes complimentary admission, parking and light refreshments for all attendees.
In celebration of the Detroit Jazz Festival, this entertaining and educational panel discussion examines the city’s rich jazz heritage from it’s earliest beginning to present day influences.
As jazz emerged in the 1920s, the city of Detroit quickly became one of the nation’s hottest jazz destinations, standing alongside New Orleans, Chicago and St. Louis. As word traveled, musicians across the country relocated to Detroit in hopes to capitalize on the genre’s renown in the city. Through the 1950s, Detroit was one of America’s most important jazz centers, producing legends like William McKinney, Paul Chambers and Kenny Burrell.
Music in the Key of “D”: Detroit Jazz, Then and Now takes its audience on a historical journey of Detroit jazz through pictures, music and dialogue.
Presented by some of the most knowledgeable person in Detroit jazz history and music, panelists include:
Lars Bjorn, professor of sociology at University of Michigan-Dearborn and author of Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit, 1920-60
Jim Gallert, jazz broadcaster, researcher, writer and co-author of Before Motown: A History of Jazz in Detroit, 1920-60
Sean Dobbins, award-winning jazz drummer and educator
