Saturday headliner Kurt Elling’s musical drama, “The Big Blind,” was the centerpiece of Saturday night’s programming.
The first full day of the all-virtual Detroit Jazz Festival was a stunning journey through many forms of jazz,13 hours of almost nonstop music that drew viewers from around the world. At various points during the day and night, audience members watching the Facebook and YouTube live feeds at home checked in from every U.S. time zone, countries like Germany, France, England, and from as far away as Melbourne, Australia. More: ‘Singing is spiritual for me,’ says Gregory Porter, due Sunday night at Detroit jazz fest More: Highlights from Friday’s Detroit Jazz Festival performances The day began with the Festival Foundation’s 2021 Collegiate Combo Competition winner, New York University’s L Stop. Remember the names of these young men — pianist Carlin Lee, bassist Warren Louie, drummer Anton Kot, alto saxophonist Tiger Diep and tenor saxophonist Cole Palensky — because they’re all going far, and Detroit is one of the first music scenes to recognize it. Lee originals “Self Control” and “Kindness” kicked off the set, followed by a free-flowing, untitled original by Louie that prompted the band to seek suggestions from viewers on how to name the lovely piece. Lee proved a steady anchor for the band, both as an affable, assured frontman and with his beautiful piano work on numbers like “Clean Jawn” and perhaps the highlight of the set, “Ripples.” More: L Stop from NYU, winner of Detroit jazz fest’s college contest, to perform Saturday Trumpeter Etienne Charles, winner of the weekend’s Best Dressed award, brought a set as colorful as his attire to early Saturday afternoon with a joyous blend of “Creole Soul” that had viewers up and shimmying in their homes. A terrific surprise was a steamy, gently unfolding version of Henry Mancini’s “Lujon” (aka “Slow Hot Wind”) that originated on 1961’s “Mr. Lucky Goes Latin” and was further immortalized in a key scene in “The Big Lebowski.” Charles was accompanied by powerhouse Godwin Louis on tenor sax, the economic flavor of Alex Wintz on guitar, Axel Tosca Laugart on piano, Barry Stephenson on bass and the indispensable Harvel Nakundi on drums. Charles also doubled on congas with dazzling percussion work. More: Trumpeter Etienne Charles and his Creole Soul band bring blend of styles to jazz fest The powerful voice of Alicia Olatuja was a hit with viewers. Many may not yet have known her name when this year’s festival roster was announced, but she’s welcome back in Detroit anytime. Her salute to female singers and songwriters was a love fest, with viewer comments expressing more and more enthusiasm as each new, yet familiar song started up. Brenda Russell’s first hit, “So Good, So Right” raised the roof, and Joni Mitchell’s “Cherokee Leaves” was greeted warmly online.
