FRIDAY
JPMorgan Chase Main Stage
6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Second Line: Soul Rebels Brass Band: A festival appetizer of second-line marching direct from New Orleans.
7 Jeff (Tain) Watts Drum Club: The festival's artist-in-residence introduces a new percussion ensemble. The big question is what Watts will do with such a versatile collection of leading stylists -- percussionists Horacio (El Negro) Hernandez, Tony Allen, Pedro Martinez and Susie Ibarra; vibraphonist Joe Locke and bassist Robert Hurst.
8:45 Sing the Truth! Angélique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves and Lizz Wright celebrate Miriam Makeba, Abbey Lincoln and Odetta: A trio of high-profile singers who cross a myriad of stylistic borders -- jazz, R&B, Afro-pop, gospel -- pay tribute to forebears known for speaking truth to power.
Education Stage
4 p.m. Detroit School of Arts Jazz Ensemble with Diego Rivera: A strongly expressive tenor saxophonist, who also teaches at MSU, joins Detroit students.
5:15 Henry Ford Community College Big Band with Gary Smulyan: A first-call baritone saxophonist on the New York scene appears as a guest with the HFCC band.
SATURDAY
Carhartt Amphitheatre
Noon University of Michigan Jazz Ensemble with pianist Geri Allen and bassist Robert Hurst: U-M students are joined by two of their professors, native Detroiters who balance performing and teaching.
1:15 p.m. DSO Civic Jazz Orchestra: The Detroit Symphony's top student jazz band.
2:30 Rayse Biggs and Friends: A veteran Detroit trumpeter with a big sound, big heart, sassy attitude and deep experience in jazz, funk, R&B and rock leads a like-minded band featuring saxophonist Dave McMurray.
4:30 Sean Jones Quintet: The 33-year-old trumpeter, a strong technician who generates a lot of fire and excitement, leads a sturdy post-bop band with alto saxophonist Brian Hogans, pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Obed Calvaire.
7 Sun Ra Arkestra directed by Marshall Allen: All aboard the Arkestra, where free jazz and mysticism come together in a big band of intergalactic metaphysics. Sun Ra departed this earth in 1993, but alto saxophonist Allen, a longtime Sun Ra associate, now navigates the 15-piece mother ship.
9:15 Dave Holland Octet: The great bassist, composer and bandleader fronts a starry octet that charts a middle ground between the tailored arrangements of a big band and the improvisatory dialogue of a small group. The extra flesh adds color and harmony to the rock-ribbed vamps that Holland loves, pushing melody to the forefront. With saxophonists Antonio Hart, Chris Potter and Gary Smulyan, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, trombonist Robin Eubanks, vibraphonist Steve Nelson and drummer Nate Smith.
Mack Avenue Records Waterfront Stage
Noon Derrick Gardner and the Jazz Prophets: A hard-bop trumpeter with a clarion sound and deep affection for the Clifford Brown-Freddie Hubbard lineage.
1:30 p.m. Warren Wolf and Wolfpac: The young vibraphonist Wolf has an attractive eponymously titled CD newly issued on Mack Avenue and a sparkling post-bop quintet on the circuit. Wolf marries an invigorating attack with melodic integrity. With saxophonist Tim Green, pianist Lawrence Fields, bassist Kris Funn and drummer John Lamkin.
3:15 Curtis Fuller Sextet: One of the heroes of Detroit's post-war jazz explosion, Fuller established himself as the definitive hard bop trombonist in the late '50s. He's 76 now, and his new CD, "I Will Tell Her" (Capri), which is dedicated to his late wife, contains his strongest work in years. He's surrounded by hard boppers from a younger generation: tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Josh Bruneau, pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Carl Allen.
5:45 Toots Thielemans and Kenny Werner: The ageless Belgian-born harmonica virtuoso Thielemans thrives in the liminal space between a smile and a tear. He's playing beautifully at age 89, especially in the company of his intuitive partner Werner, who creates atmospheric landscapes on piano and keyboards.
8 Jason Moran and the Bandwagon: In the past year, Moran, a 36-year-old pianist, composer and conceptualist, has dominated jazz critics polls and won a MacArthur Fellowship. He filters the tenor and rhythm of contemporary life into a sweeping aesthetic that hears the jazz tradition as a century-long march of avant-garde ideas and attitudes. Bandwagon, his signature trio with bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Nasheet Waits, breathes as one.
Absopure Pyramid Stage
Noon Russ Miller Quartet: Alto saxophonist and arranger Miller, a Detroit stalwart, fronts a quartet with Bill Gaff on piano, Pat Prouty on bass and David Taylor on drums.
1:45 p.m. Luciana Souza: Brazilian Duos featuring Romero Lubambo: The Brazilian-born singer brings her zephyr-like voice to diverse material, from songs of her homeland to adult pop and originals on texts by E.E. Cummings and Pablo Neruda. Her duo with guitarist Lubambo aims for intimacy.
3:45 Soul Rebels Brass Band: A lively brass band from New Orleans.
5:30 Berklee College presents: Dayramir and Habana en Trance: Students from Berklee in Boston led by young Cuban pianist Dayramir Gonzalez, already has a slew of professional credits.
7:15 Gerard Gibbs and Organized Crime: Gibbs, an extroverted organist who has traveled worldwide with saxophonist James Carter, lays down deep swing and funk grooves. With master Detroit guitarist Perry Hughes riding shotgun and drummer Gene Dunlap.
9 Tony Monaco Trio: The Columbus, Ohio-based organist digs into the grits 'n' gravy roar of the Hammond B3 tradition.
JPMorgan Chase Main Stage
2:45 p.m. Kimmie Horne: The Detroit songstress with a big personality and an entertainer's DNA favors an eclectic mix of R&B, soul, pop and jazz.
4:30 Vertical-Engine: An eclectic Japanese band makes its U.S. debut at the festival.
6:15 Chuck Jackson: A Return to Motown: A virile-voiced Motown singer whose songs included "Are You Lonely For Me Baby" and "Shame on Me" but whose biggest hit, "Any Day Now," was actually cut in his pre-Motown days in 1962.
8 Deacon Jones Blues Revue: An organist best known for a nearly 20-year stint as musical director for John Lee Hooker, but whose resume also includes work with Freddie King, Curtis Mayfield, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
9:30 Mandrill: A funk band from Brooklyn that rolled rock, salsa and jazz into its grooves in the '70s and then got a second wind when hip-hop heroes such as Public Enemy, Eminem and Kanye West began sampling its work.
Education Stage
11 a.m. Berklee Workshop: "From El son montuno to La Timba"
Noon Jackson Middle School at Parkside
1 p.m. Royal Oak High School
2 Clarkston High School Jazz Band
3:45 Ann Arbor Pioneer Jazz Band
Jazz Talk Tent
12:30 p.m. Drum Role: Jeff (Tain) Watts and others, with Michael G. Nastos
1:45 B3 Roar of the Groove
3 Effortless Mastery with Kenny Werner
4:15 Meet the Artist: Luciana Souza, with Marry Kathryn Smith
5:15 Meet the Artist: Dave Holland and Jason Moran
6:15 Meet the Artist: Mandrill, with Bobby Jackson
7:15 Rhythm, Roots and Rhyme Poetry Slam
Kid Bop
1 p.m. Michelle McKinney and her HipCats
1:50 Kids Jazz Literature Reading
2:15 Bambuti Drum and Dance Group
3:15 Kids Jazz Literature Reading
3:30 MADD Rhythms with Rod Ferrone
SUNDAY
Carhartt Amphitheatre
11:45 a.m. Wayne State University Big Band with Joe Lovano: The saxophonist renews an old friendship with the WSU band.
1:15 p.m. U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note with Joe Locke: One of the leading service bands teams with a dazzling vibraphonist.
3 Michigan State University Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Watts: The MSU band gets a kick in the rear from its guest drummer.
4:30 J.C. Heard Tribute Band: Drummer J.C. Heard (1917-88) bridged the swing era and early bebop years, bringing his timeless swing and infectious personality to everyone from Cab Calloway and Lester Young to Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He settled in Detroit in the '60s, mentoring countless musicians, including trumpeter and arranger Walt Szymanski, who returns from New York to lead a big band in honor of his mentor.
6:15 Eastern Michigan University Jazz Ensemble with Christian McBride: The virtuoso bassist joins EMU students.
7:45 Jeff Watts 4: The festival's artist-in-residence makes his final appearance of the weekend with his hard-hitting quartet that also features the leader's interesting originals. The powerhouse drummer is flanked by star bassist Christian McBride, tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland and pianist Lawrence Fields.
9:30 Joe Lovano Us Five: Whether reimagining a Charlie Parker tune or pushing into more exploratory territory, the protean tenor saxophonist's unique two-drummer quintet favors a conversational aesthetic, malleable textures and a swirl of spontaneous counterpoint. The band is an ideal lab for Lovano's dance of structure and freedom. With drummers Otis Brown III and Francesco Mela, pianist James Weidman and bassist Peter Slavov.
Mack Avenue Records Waterfront Stage
12:15 p.m. Josh Duffee and his Orchestra: A young drummer leads re-creations of 1920s jazz by the Jean Goldkette Orchestra.
2:15 Amina Figarova: The Azerbaijan native and pianist, who studied in Boston and now lives in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, co-leads a quintet with her husband, flutist Bart Platteau.
4 Regina Carter's Reverse Thread: The Detroit-born violinist turned to Mother Africa on last year's album "Reverse Thread" (E1), exploring diverse folk material arranged for an exotic ensemble that included kora and accordion.
5:45 Aaron Diehl Quintet: Even before the 25-year-old pianist was named the 2011 Cole Porter Fellow in Jazz -- a prize worth $50,000 in cash plus career assistance -- he had a reputation as a young musician with a sure grasp of the tradition. With alto saxophonist Wess Anderson and trumpeter Dominick Farinacci.
7:30 Paquito D'Rivera Quintet: The exuberant Cuban-born saxophonist and clarinetist, a longtime leader in the Latin jazz idiom, brings firecracker energy and personality to a wide range of material. With trumpeter Diego Urcola, pianist Alex Brown, bassist Oscar Stagnaro and drummer Mark Walker.
9:15 Vijay Iyer Trio: There's no single answer to the question of what's happening in jazz right now, but Iyer's kinetic trio, which pairs the discursive pianist with Stephen Crump on bass and Marcus Gilmore on drums, is one response. The fluid synthesis of asymmetric rhythms and meters, density and souped-up funk, hip-hop and Indian, African and other idioms are all part of the zeitgeist. So is a post-modern repertoire ranging from jazz mavericks to Michael Jackson.
Absopure Pyramid Stage
12:15 p.m. Hot Club of Detroit with Cyrille Aimee: Detroit's popular Hot Club retains its Gypsy jazz roots but now lives in a more contemporary idiom. Aimee, a young French-born singer with a lithe voice and an improviser's attitude, appears as a guest.
1:45 Keith Vreeland and Bad Dog: A veteran Detroit pianist makes a long overdue appearance at the festival.
3:15 Dave Sharp's Secret Seven: A local bassist leads a high-energy septet that proposes a world music fusion of idioms.
4:45 Anat Cohen Quartet: The Israeli-born clarinetist and tenor saxophonist folds the wail of her homeland into a fabric that stretches from Brazil to Greenwich Village. With pianist Jason Linder., bassist Joe Martin and drummer Daniel Freedman.
6:30 Vinicius Cantuaria: A Brazilian-born singer-songwriter and guitarist with a cool, alluring style and an insinuating way of exploring contemporary idioms.
8 Steve Wilson and Wilsonian's Grain: One of the most in-demand saxophonists in New York, Wilson has the rare ability to lift any bandstand, blending seamlessly into myriad styles without mortgaging his own identity. He's got a tart yet warm sound and an endless supply of rewarding ideas. His potent post-bop quartet features pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Clarence Penn.
9:45 Richie Goods and Nuclear Fusion: An explosive quartet steeped in funk, jazz-rock and R&B led by a versatile bassist, with keyboardist Xavier Davis, guitarist Tom Guarna and drummer Mike Clark.
JPMorgan Chase Main Stage
2:15 p.m. Johnnie Bassett and the Blues Insurgents with Thornetta Davis: Detroit blues royalty come together for a set that should produce fireworks.
3:45 Rahsaan Patterson: A popular R&B and soul singer with a special way with ballads arrives on the wing of his newly released CD "Bleuphoria" (Artistry Music).
6 Los Gatos: A long-running Ann Arbor-based Latin jazz band gets a well-deserved festival showcase.
7:30 Sammy Figueroa and the Latin Jazz Explosion: A snazzy Latin-jazz ensemble led by one of the most highly respected and recorded percussionists in the business.
9:30 Ivan Lins Quartet: A top Brazilian songwriter and singer, Lins' tunes have been covered by all manner of pop and jazz artists, from Sting to Terence Blanchard.
Education Stage
11 a.m. Dave Sharp Workshop: East Meets West
12:15 p.m. Northville Jazz Ensemble II
1:30 Warren Mott Marauder Big Band
5 Cousino High School Jazz Ensemble
Jazz Talk Tent
Noon Jazz Beyond Nation and Gender with Anat Cohen, Vijay Iyer, Amina Figarova
1:15 p.m. Savory Stuff
3 Jean Goldkette with Josh Duffee
4:15 Meet the Artist: Joe Lovano
6 Mr. Rhythm: JC Heard
7 Rhythm, Roots and Rhyme: Poetry Slam Finals
Kid Bop Tent
1 p.m. Bambuti Drum and Dance Group
1:50 Kids Jazz Literature Reading
2:15 Mosaic Singers
3:15 Kids Jazz Literature Reading
4 MADD Rhythms with Rod Ferrone
MONDAY
Carhartt Amphitheatre
12:15 p.m. Detroit Jazz Festival High School All Stars
1:30 The New Gary Burton Quartet: The veteran vibraphonist's new working band arrives on the heels of an invigorating new album, "Common Ground" (Mack Avenue). Rewarding material and chemistry with his colleagues -- young guitarist Julian Lage and the seasoned battery of bassist Scott Colley and drummer Antonio Sanchez -- has inspired Burton to some of his most exciting recent work.
3:15 Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra with Paquito D'Rivera: The alto saxophonist and clarinetist, a Latin-jazz icon, joins the NIU band.
4:45 Kevin Eubanks: Since leaving his 15-year job leading "The Tonight Show" band in 2010, the guitarist has been re-establishing his substantial jazz bona fides. He has released a high-level fusion album, "Zen Food" (Mack Avenue), and appears here with saxophonist Bill Pierce, bassist Rene Camacho and drummer Marvin (Smitty) Smith.
6:30 Detroit Jazz Festival Orchestra with Christian McBride and Ernie Andrews: McBride has been spreading his wings as the leader of his own big band. Here the bassist shows off his arrangements with the festival's resident orchestra and vocalist Ernie Andrews.
Mack Avenue Records Waterfront Stage
Noon Oakland University Big Band with Regina Carter: The Detroit-born violinist joins students from her alma mater.
1:45 p.m. Anthony Wilson Trio: A superb West Coast guitarist, at home in mainstream settings and the more languid, Brazilian-flavored climes of his new CD "Campo Belo" (Goat Hill), teams with organist Larry Goldings and drummer Karriem Riggins.
3:30 Alex Graham Quartet: Graham, a fiery alto saxophonist with local roots, spends his summers as music director of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, but he's also a dynamic hard bop player.
5:15 Helen Sung: Sung with Words with Carolyn Leonhart: Sung, a tailored bebop-oriented pianist, teams with a versatile singer whose résumé includes back-up duties with Steely Dan. With bassist Reuben Rogers and drummer Rudy Royston.
Absopure Pyramid Stage
Noon Rafael Ricky Statin: A brawny young Detroit tenor saxophonist with a fast-rising reputation leads a quintet.
1:30 p.m. Sachal Vasandani: "Hi-Fly," the latest Mack Avenue CD by the eclectic young singer, offers some of his strongest jazz singing to date. The rhythm sectioni includes pianist Jeb Patton and bassist David Wong.
3:15 Champian Fulton: At 25, Fulton is the real deal, a gifted Old School jazz singer who can purr and shout and whose charisma and authority make her traditional repertoire sound like the hippest game in town. She plays piano too, but it's the vocals that seduce with diction, swing, sass and improvisatory phrasing that wink at Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington without sounding like Fulton is playing dress-up.
4:45 Oblivion Project: A sextet featuring dazzling accordionist Julien Labro explores Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla's innovative Nuevo tango.
6:30 Kathy Kosins Quartet with guest Walt Szymanski: A polished Detroit singer and road warrior fronts a top local rhythm section augmented by former Detroiter Szymanski on trumpet.
JPMorgan Chase Main Stage
Noon Gospel Choirs: Larry Callahan SOG and Second Ebenezer Majestic Voices: The choir led by Callahan was in the national spotlight earlier this year when it appeared in the Eminem-Chrysler "Made in Detroit" Super Bowl ad.
1:45 p.m. The Steeles: A Minneapolis-based family group operates at the intersection of gospel and R&B.
3 Lowell Pye: A widely recorded veteran of the contemporary gospel scene.
4:45 Karriem Riggins Ensemble featuring Common: A promising collaboration of a Detroit-born drummer (Riggins) with serious bona fides in both jazz and hip-hop, and Common, the Grammy Award-winning rapper. Expect a jazz-based performance, including new music, spoken word and acoustic jazz versions of Common's material. The band includes DJ Dez, bassist Robert Hurst and others.
Education Stage
11:15 a.m. Monroe High School Jazz Band
4 p.m. MYAF High School All Stars
Jazz Talk Tent
12:30 p.m. Trans-Atlantic Jazz with Maxine Gordon and Ted Herschorn
3 Norman Granz: Taking Jazz to the World
4:15 Meet the Artist: Gary Burton
5:15 Cubano Be Cubano Bop: Paquito D'Rivera with Bob Porter
Kid Bop
12:45 p.m. Kids Jazz Literature Reading
1 Michelle Mckinney and her HipCats
2:15 Bambuti Drum and Dance Group
3:15 Kids Jazz Literature Reading
3:30 MADD Rhythms with Rod Ferrone
