WBGO Blog

  • Terry Pontremoli, Artistic and Executive Director of the Detroit Jazz Festival

    September 4, 2009. Posted by David Tallacksen.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Detroit Jazz Festival 2009

    The Detroit Jazz Festival this year celebrates its 30th year. As WBGO begins our coverage of the Festival - keep it tuned right here to the blog all Labor Day Weekend, and listen for 5 hours of music on Labor Day beginning at 2pm ET - our own Rhonda Hamilton sat down with Artistic and Executive Director Terry Pontremoli to talk about the challenges of running a completely free jazz festival, and some of the great things to look forward to, including two world premieres.

    Listen to the interview:

    © 2009 WBGO

  • What to see, eat and do in Detroit

    September 3, 2009. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Detroit Jazz Festival 2009
    Portion of Diego Rivera Mural of Industry in Detroit
    Part of a Diego Rivera Mural of Industry in Detroit

    SEE:  Go to the Detroit Institute of the Arts ("the Diego Rivera murals are stupendous" says Terri Pontremoli, Artistic & Executive Director of the DIJF)... go to MOCAD, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit... go to The Guardian Building on the Festival's footprint at 500 Griswold right off Woodward Ave

    CLICK TO READ:  NPR story about the Rivera murals in Detroit

    EAT:  Bob Porter recommends Carl’s Chop House (check to see if this restaurant is still in business)... Gary Walker recommends fudge from Sanders Candy as a childhood delight!... Terri Pontremoli highly recommends and briefly characterizes Vincente's - Cuban; Roast - Michael Simon restaurant; El Barzon - Half Mexican, half Italian (I know it sounds impossible, but its wonderful); Atlas Global Bistro - chic restaurant in the cultural neighborhood; Cliff Bell's - jazz club and good food for after the festival hours, nice hang; Greektown - restaurants, fun vibe... Rhonda Hamilton asked her 20's-something nieces and they like Mosaic Restaurant in the Greektown Casino, Fishbone's in St. Clair (outdoor seating, heaters if it's chilly), Detroit Fish Market on Randolph Street, Seldom Blues right here in the Marriott Hotel... I'm getting hungry

    DO:  Go to Baker's Keyboard Lounge, "the world's oldest jazz club," with a gospel jam on Sunday... walk the Riverwalk, ride the People Mover... go to historic Belle Isle, America's largest city-owned island park... go to Motown Records

    Please! Add your own recommendations below

    © 2009 WBGO

  • WBGO in Detroit: A Preview from Rhonda

    September 2, 2009. Posted by Becca Pulliam.

    Add new comment | Filed under: Detroit Jazz Festival 2009

    Rhonda Hamilton hosts the WBGO in Detroit special on Labor Day from 2-7. Watch the blog for updates between now and then. Here's a preview (as told to a scribe) .. I'm in Detroit now with family. The weather is absolutely gorgeous, and the forecast for the weekend is sunshine, mid 70s, each day a little warmer.  Our hotel room has a great view facing the Detroit River, looking into Canada and the Caesars Windsor Hotel & Casino. There are at least three casinos on the Detroit side too, it looks like Las Vegas. Today I'm golfing at a public course, Rouge Park -- eighteen holes today, yesterday and the day before. On the plaza, the Festival has started setting up stages and tents! I'm excited.

    © 2009 WBGO