Dearborn Car Company Jazz's It Up

DEARBORN, Michigan, June 6, 2002— For the seventh consecutive year, Ford Motor Company is sponsoring the largest free jazz festival in North America, the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival. The four-day festival begins on Aug. 30 and runs through Sept.2 in Detroit's Hart Plaza, and features more than 100 leading jazz artists performing live over the Labor Day holiday weekend. Last year more than a half-million visitors attended the festival.

"This festival is a significant cultural and musical event in Detroit, and we're pleased to be part of it,” said Ron Thomas, Ford Motor Company's Corporate Alliances manager. "This festival attracts jazz lovers from around the world and casts a very positive light on Detroit. Sponsoring the festival is just one way that Ford gives back to the community."

The festival features celebrated jazz artists, some of metro Detroit’s hottest jazz bands and award-winning student ensembles including Henry Ford College, Schoolcraft College, Utica High School, West Bloomfield High School and South Lyon High School.

Co-headlining the four-stage event are Branford Marsalis Quartet, Pete Fountain, the Regina Carter Quintet, Mavis Staples and The Legends of the Bandstand featuring Curtis Fuller, Louis Hayes, Cedar Walton and David “Fathead” Newman. Among other artists scheduled to perform in the Ford Motor Company Amphitheater are Frank Morgan Quartet, the Geri Allen Trio and the Joey DeFrancesco Trio.

For more information on the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, call 313.963.7622 or visit the festival’s web site at www.detroitjazzfest.com.