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Jazzin’ at the Vanity
June 10, 2023 @ 12:00 pm - June 11, 2023 @ 7:00 pm
FreeJazzin’ at the Vanity is a free two-day jazz and blues street festival celebrating the culture and history of the Jefferson-Chalmers neighborhood and the historic Vanity Ballroom! Formerly known as Jazzin’ on Jefferson, the annual event is presented by Jefferson East Incorporation (JEI) in partnership with The War Memorial and is held on East Jefferson Ave between Newport and Lakewood streets. The event takes place from 12-9 p.m on Saturday, June 10th and from 1-7 p.m on Sunday, June 10.
Festivalgoers can expect live world-class jazz and blues performances spread across two stages, a wide variety of local vendors, food trucks and activities for the entire family, supported by Arts and Scraps, Box City, Detroit Circus, and more.
Headlining this year’s Jazzin’ at the Vanity Festival are Thornetta Davis and Dave McMurray. Known as Detroit’s Queen of the Blues, Davis will take the War Memorial Main Stage from 7:30-9 p.m. on Saturday, June 10. Davis is an international singer, songwriter and recording artist who has opened for legends like B.B. King, Ray Charles, Etta James and more. She is a seven-time Blues Foundation nominee and winner of more than 30 Detroit Music Awards.
Taking the War Memorial Main Stage as the headlining act for night two is Detroit-born renown saxophonist Dave McMurray, who has worked with greats like B.B. King, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Kid Rock and many more.
In addition to Davis and McMurray, the Jazzin’ at the Vanity lineup is jam-packed with local and national musicians, including Straight Ahead, Brandon Williams, Planet D Nonet, Allen Dennard Quintet, Dr. Leonard King, Louis Jones III Quartet, Tosha Owens, Drew Shultz, and others.