Beginning in 2007, the Wayne State University Department of Music embarked on a long-term partnership with the Detroit International Jazz Festival, serving as their Educational Advisor. Jazz Week at Wayne, one result of this collaboration, is a one-week workshop that provides forty high school students with an intensive and rewarding jazz education. All participants, selected from surrounding high schools, are awarded full scholarships to attend the program.  

Jazz Week at Wayne, a historic initiative for Detroit, combines the artistic and educational forces of two jazz entities, the Detroit International Jazz Festival and the Wayne State University Department of Music. The Detroit Jazz Fest, a long-time supporter of jazz education, and WSU have committed to an innovative collaboration that supports the area's talented young musicians.

Guided by WSU's faculty and guest artists from the area and the Detroit International Jazz Festival, students will study jazz improvisation, theory, and ensemble playing. They will work in master class settings, jam sessions, and small and large ensemble rehearsals with WSU Jazz Faculty Christopher Collins (Director, Jazz Studies Program and woodwind player), Russell Miller (ensemble director and woodwind player), and Rob Pipho (instrumental jazz and improvisation).

Jazz Week at Wayne culminates in two public performances. All Jazz Week participants will perform in a concert on Friday, July 24. Outstanding Jazz Week students will be selected for a position in the Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Youth Ensemble, which will be announced at the July 24 performance. The All-Star Youth Ensemble will perform on a main stage at the 2009 Detroit International Jazz Festival.

View a short video of Christian McBride's Jazz Week@Wayne class here.  (This is a 11 MB video courtesy of Joseph Productions Inc, DTVN LLC)

View photos from Jazz Week 2009

View photos from Jazz Week 2008

View photos from the 2007 Campus Martius performance.

JazzWeek@Wayne in the Detroit Free Press and the Michigan Citizen.