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Thursday, July 08, 2004

Aretha Leads Detroit Jazz Fest Lineup

Aretha Franklin, Ramsey Lewis, George Benson and Lou Rawls will anchor the lineup for the 25th anniversary edition of the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival. The event will be held Sept. 4-6 in the city's Hart Plaza.

"Surely everyone knows about Detroit being the birthplace of the automotive industry and the Motown sound, but for some unknown reason the rest of the city's illustrious musical history still remains a bit of a mystery and best kept secret to those on the outside looking in," says festival artistic director Frank Malfitano. "Fact is, this is also one helluva jazz town."

The event will feature a tribute to legendary drummer Elvin Jones, who died in May. Other confirmed acts include saxophonist James Carter, drummers Chico Hamilton and Louis Hayes, Barbara Ware, the Brubeck Brothers Band, Larry Coryell and local high school ensembles.

Franklin will sing selections from Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Duke Ellington, according to the Detroit Free Press. For the full lineup, visit the festival's official website

-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. billboard.com

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