Drummer and composer Brian Blade named 2024 Artist-in-Residence for Detroit Jazz Fest

Each year the Detroit Jazz Festival chooses an acclaimed artist to be the Artist-in-Residence to perform at different times during the free Labor Day event and at events leading up to the fest.

The 2024 Artist-in-Residence is jazz drummer and composer Brian Blade. The two-time Grammy Award-winning musician will perform in a variety of outfits at the four-day event, including with his Fellowship Band.

"It's amazing. Compared to any other festival in the world it is truly, truly incredible and a communal jewel, if you will," Blade told The Detroit News. He said in addition to a full Fellowship Band performance at the Festival, he'll have other configurations.

"I'm collaborating with two other friends of mine, Edward Simon and Scott Colley. We have a project called Three Visitors which will include singer Becca Stevens and a string octet formed by some in the Detroit symphonic community," he said, adding that he'll also do a big band concert with the Fellowship Band led by Jim McNeely. "It should be exciting. I hope people will enjoy it and be inspired by all of this, at least by our small part in this festival."

Detroit jazz fans — and anyone with computer access — can see Brian Blade & the Fellowship Band's first performance in this role at the Detroit Jazz Festival preview event on April 10 when they'll play as a quintet. The event, which will be live-streamed for free at detroitjazzfest.org, also serves as a preview for the new Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. Named after Detroit's "angel of jazz" philanthropist Valade, who died in 2023 at age 97, the center is set to open this fall.

“Brian Blade’s career, beginning with his Gospel roots in Shreveport, Louisiana, to his ascension to becoming one of the most acclaimed jazz drummers in the country is a shining testament to his dedication and commitment to jazz and its evolutions,” said Chris Collins in a press release. Collins is the president and artistic director of the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation. “(Blade's) legacy and contributions to this year’s festival will be greatly appreciated by our fans and the entire global jazz community.”

Blade is a prolific performer and composer on his own, but he's also a notable session and sideman who has worked with Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Joshua Redman, Joe Jackson and recently Norah Jones, whom he will tour with this year.

Blade has also worked with at least two former Detroit Jazz Fest Artist-in-Residence, Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea. In fact, the last time Blade was at the Detroit Jazz Fest he was scheduled to perform with Shorter, but the event was rained out.

"I pray that the weather holds and hopefully, in my constant thought and honor of my mentors Wayne and Chick, that they'll be shining down and looking with pride," said Blade.

The Detroit Jazz Fest is Aug. 30-Sept. 2 in the Campus Martius and Hart Plaza areas of downtown Detroit. Visit detroitjazzfest.org for more information.

mbaetens@detroitnews.com