International Jazz Day Apr. 30: A Great Day in Detroit Jazz Photograph

A Great Day in Metro Detroit Jazz Photograph with a Special Performance: Out of the Mouth of Babes – A Tribute to the Rising Stars of Jazz

CALLING ALL DETROIT JAZZ MUSICIANS, VOCALISTS, PHOTOGRAPHERS & JAZZ JOURNALISTS

Third Annual “A Great Day in Metro Detroit Jazz Photograph”In Celebration of International Jazz Day

Detroit’s jazz community is invited to gather for a historic cultural moment as The Preservation of Jazz proudly presents the Third Annual A Great Day in Metro Detroit Jazz Photograph on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Aretha’s Jazz Café.

Inspired by the legendary 1958 “A Great Day in Harlem” photograph—one of the most iconic images in jazz history—this annual gathering pays tribute to the original moment when 57 jazz legends assembled on a Harlem brownstone staircase to create a timeless visual record of the artists who shaped American music. That photograph became more than an image; it became a cultural document preserving a generation of greatness.Now, for the third consecutive year, Detroit’s jazz community will gather to continue that tradition.Held annually on International Jazz Day, established by UNESCO to recognize jazz as a universal language of peace, unity, dialogue, and artistic excellence, this event honors Detroit’s enduring contribution to the global jazz legacy while documenting the artists, storytellers, and culture bearers carrying that torch today.

EVENT DETAILS

Third Annual A Great Day in Metro Detroit Jazz Photograph Thursday, April 30, 2026 Artist & Media Gathering: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Sharp

Aretha’s Jazz Café

350 Madison Street, Detroit, MI

We are calling on:

Jazz Musicians

Vocalists

Jazz Photographers

Jazz Journalists / Media

Educators

Composers

Band Leaders

Cultural Contributors

Rising Artists

This photograph will serve as:

A historic record of Detroit’s living jazz legacyA tribute to those preserving and advancing the musicA celebration of International Jazz Day

A declaration that Detroit remains a vital force in jazz worldwide

Attire Requested:Classic / Elegant / Jazz-Inspired / Camera Ready

To Participate:

Please text your RSVP to 248-383-3385 to confirm participation and receive updates regarding lineup, arrival instructions, and event coordination.Come stand with your peers.Come honor the legacy.Come be part of Detroit jazz history.