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HFCC's Big Band to open 2011 Detroit International Jazz Festival

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HFCC's Big Band will serve as the opening concert performance at the 2011 Detroit International Jazz Festival Friday, Sept. 2 at 5:15 p.m.  The Big Band is also honored to receive selection as the backup band for five-time Grammy Award Winner Gary Smulyan on the Campus Martius Stage. 

Rick Goward, director of the HFCC Big Band, said that members are thrilled to open this extraordinary festival and to serve as Smulyan’s band during his performance.

'I think these opportunities speak to the dedication, hard work and talent of our Band members. We couldn’t think of a better opportunity to display the HFCC Big Band in this international festival and we’re extremely proud to continue our participation for 2011,' he said.

Gary Smulyan is considered to be one of the most outstanding baritone saxophonists in the world. He has played with numerous internationally recognized artists and bands, including Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, Mel Lewis, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and Dizzy Gillespie among many others.

The 2011 Detroit International Jazz Festival is sponsored by the Detroit Jazz Festival, which is a major cultural institution providing year-round concerts and educational programming that culminates in one of the world’s premier jazz festivals on Labor Day Weekend. Now in its 32nd year, the Festival takes place over several city blocks in downtown Detroit--from Hart Plaza to Campus Martius--with five stages and 100 acts over four days. It also offers educational activities for adults and children, fireworks, late-night jam sessions, rare opportunities to meet the artists and much more. Most importantly, this is FREE to the public.

Some of the many artists and bands scheduled to play include

  • Sing the Truth! ANGELIQUE KIDJO, DIANNE REEVES AND LIZZ WRIGHT continue the legacies of Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta;
  • Jeff 'Tain' Watts with Drum Club featuring Joe Locke, Susie Ibarra, Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez, Tony Allen and Pedro Martinez;
  • The Dave Holland Octet; and
  • Luciana Souza: Brazilian Duos featuring Romero Lubambo.

The Henry Ford Big Band includes young professional musicians, music educators and traditional aged music students who enroll at Henry Ford Community College to continue their performance and study of Big Band literature.  All but three members from the 23-member big band began their jazz ensemble experience at Henry Ford Community College. 

For more information about the HFCC Big Band, please contact Band Director Rick Goward at (313) 570-5501, or via email at rgoward@hfcc.edu.

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