World's Largest Free Jazz Festival: world record in Detroit, Michigan

October 11, 2022

DETROIT, Michigan, United States--The Detroit Jazz Festival, a free jazz festival held every year during Labor Day Weekend at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park in Detroit, Michigan, has an audience of 325,000 people over the course of the four days, thus setting the world record for being the World's Largest Free Jazz Festival, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.

"Keeping the event free for visitors is no easy task. Four to five million dollars needs to be raised each year to make this event happen," the mlive.com reports.

"“We’re doing a lot of efforts to build up a strong foundation of the endowment and donor base. We also have incredible sponsors. Rocket Mortgage comes back as our presenting sponsor this year. And our angel of jazz, Gretchen Valade, who has saved the festival when there was not much hope of it continuing some 15 plus years ago. Between all of it, it’s able to continue to be open for everybody, but it’s a big call,” Chris Collins, President and artistic director of the Jazz Festival told MLive.

"“This is in the streets of our city, so the city is our backdrop. This isn’t in some park somewhere. The history of jazz in Detroit is ever present. You’re walking from stage to stage with a very friendly and open vibe.”

"For over 40 years, the Detroit Jazz Festival Foundation has celebrated Detroit’s rich history of jazz music by providing year-round concerts and educational programming, and of course, organizing the world’s largest free Jazz festival, featuring world-class talent, over Labor Day weekend," says the official website.

"With the support of corporate sponsors, philanthropic organizations, individual donors and volunteers, the Detroit Jazz Festival is free to music fans looking to revel in the artistry and improvisation of jazz legends, rising stars, legacy and homecoming artists. Each year’s lineup of more than 60 performances as remarkable and diverse as the genre itself, as well as spontaneous late-night jam sessions, offers something for everyone.

"Our year-round educational programming creates one-of-a-kind opportunities for regional students and aspiring musicians to help them achieve artistic excellence, while our concerts celebrate the works of students and mentors, in addition to local and national artists."

"The Detroit Jazz Festival is a free jazz festival held every year during Labor Day Weekend at Hart Plaza and Campus Martius Park in Detroit, Michigan.

"Performers have included Dave Brubeck, Gary Burton, Regina Carter, Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Joe Lovano, The Manhattan Transfer, Wynton Marsalis, Pat Metheny, Mulgrew Miller, Paquito d'Rivera, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Take 6, and Tower of Power." (wikipedia)

Testimonials from Trip Advisor

"Detroit claims to have the largest free jazz festival in America. It is a very good one. It is held in Hart Plaza (three stages) plus a fourth stage a half mile from the plaza. Detroit has much local talent to draw from but these are joined by a large group of nationaly know musicians. The festival lasts four days over the Labor Day weekend. Seating is sometimes a challenge as two of the venues have concrete steps. Cushions or folding chairs help a lot. The music is ecletic but there is something for every jazz fan. A jazz pass can be purchased which gives preferential seating to each of the four stages. Some people would find this woth the extra money as you can switch venues at will and still be guaranteed a good seat."

"As luck would have it - was at the Hart Plaza to catch the Detroit Jazz Festival - some good big band mixing and Pat Metheney show off and across the road interspersed with some street food off the trucks on a warm, sunny, rainy day! Amazing!!!"

"Almost every year I attend the Detroit Jazz Fest, the largest free outdoor jazz fest in the world. Almost all of the action takes place in Hart Plaza with a variety of different venues and artists. Hart Plaza also is right on the Detroit River which has a great walking path that is safe and clean with a great view of not only river life but also our neighbor to the east, Canada. It is also close to restaurants, hotels and some shopping."