Terence Blanchard Named Jazz Chair For The Detroit Symphony Orchestra
DETROIT (March 20, 2012) – Today, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) unveiled one of the most ambitious seasons in recent years for the Paradise Jazz Series – a collection of one-night-only appearances hand-picked by the legendary jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard. Five-time Grammy Award-winning Blanchard will join the DSO as the Fred A. & Barbara M. Erb Jazz Creative Chair beginning with the 2012-13 season of the Paradise Jazz Series, sponsored by MGM Grand Detroit.
“We are thrilled to welcome such a renowned jazz musician to oversee our jazz series,” said Anne Parsons, DSO President and CEO. “Since Orchestra Hall was once home to the famous Paradise Jazz Theatre, it is very important to us to maintain that legacy by bringing the most talented acts of the genre to Detroit audiences. We believe Terence is the perfect choice to help do just that.”
In this role, Blanchard will assist in curating the acts for the Paradise Jazz series and contribute to community education initiatives. As Jazz Chair, he plans to add an unprecedented facet to the position: for the first time in Paradise Jazz Series history, Blanchard will make special guest appearances throughout the season, serving as host and at times even performing with the featured acts.
“I am very excited to play an active role in shaping the future of the DSO’s jazz series,” said Blanchard. “It was extremely important to me to choose artists who I personally respect and whose talent is indicative of the inspiring jazz history in Detroit.”
Blanchard’s first appearance at Orchestra Hall following this announcement will be May 4, 2012, when he teams up with Poncho Sanchez for “Cubano Be, Cubano Bop,” a tribute to the legendary, genre-transforming relationship between Cuban percussionist Chano Pozo and Dizzy Gillespie. Blanchard and Sanchez’s CD of the same name was released last Fall.
Subscriptions to the 2012-13 Paradise Jazz Series are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (313) 576-5111 or visiting www.dso.org. Single tickets will go on sale August 2012. Subscribers who purchase the six-concert series will receive the Cassandra Wilson concert for free. Subscriptions start at $90.