The Detroit International Jazz Fest (Interactive) | Sept. 3rd-6th, 2010
Detroit Jazz Fest Goes Global
Today,
organizers of the Detroit International Jazz Festival (DJF) unveiled a
unique concept to share the 2010 festival with the world on DJF’s Jazz Planet tv
– an interactive web experience that will stream via the internet live
and taped performances, news flashes, interviews and behind-the-scenes
commentary throughout Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3 – 6.
The
mission of the project is to showcase Detroit as an important center
for American music, to provide a unique platform for musicians to
showcase to the world, and to reacquaint the mainstream with jazz
through social media outlets.
In partnership with Show Ads Network, Livestream.com
and Detroit Public Television, DJF’s Jazz Planet stage at Campus
Martius will stream via the web what is cool about Detroit and in
particular, Detroit Jazz Fest, in real time. Users around
the globe – artists as well as fans – will be able to Skype, tweet and
Facebook messages to fans, artists and media hosts in Detroit through detroitjazzfest.com and DJF social media networks.
Viewers
everywhere – from London to Afghanistan – will experience the
uniqueness of one of the world’s largest free jazz festivals, how it
blends urban chic and a hip and diverse audience with some of the best
music on the planet. “It will be fun, spontaneous, and capture the
unique vibe of the festival that Russ Davis (Voice of America) described
as “Jazz Disneyland” last year,” says Festival Director Terri
Pontremoli.
While
23% of the festival audience comes from out of state, DJF’s Jazz Planet
will entice millions of viewers and future supporters to DJF –
attracting more sponsorship support and creating a buzz to attract
newcomers, additional Detroit tourism, in subsequent years.
The
project also offers another educational component for the festival,
which already has significant partnerships with music students in area
high schools and colleges. Through Show Ads Network’s relationship with
Specs Howard School of Broadcasting, apprentice video journalists will
be engaged in this project. “DJF’s Jazz Planet will be a place where
students can capture behind the scenes action that can be woven into its
daily streaming to the world – a winning combination for all,” adds
Sheldon Nueman, President & CEO of Show Ads Network.
The
format of the programming allows artists to share some of their special
projects – not only the performances – but what inspired and what went
into their works, with hundreds of thousands of people on the web. This
broad-ranging exposure may result in more performance opportunities and
increased cd sales. “It not only showcases the greatness of Detroit and
the Jazz Fest, but perhaps more importantly, nurtures the art form in
ways we could only dream of a few years ago,” added Pontremoli. “Outside
of being here, it’s the best seat on the planet!”
Visit detroitjazzfest.com/jazzplanet for a sneak preview of what to expect Labor Day weekend.
About the Detroit International Jazz Festival
The
Detroit International Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival
in North America and a major tourist attraction for the City of Detroit,
with 23 percent of its audience coming from out of state. It has a $90
million economic impact on Detroit and showcases the city in its most
positive light. In 2010, the festival received support from the National
Endowment for the Arts, the Erb Foundation and the Kresge Foundation.
Major corporate sponsors include Chase, Carhartt, Absopure, Mack Avenue
Records, DTE Energy, Meijer, Budweiser, Pepsi, Comcast and Fox 2. Media
sponsors include WEMU, WDET, WRCJ, Jacobs Media, CJAM, Metrotimes,
Jazztimes, Downbeat, Jazziz, Jazzcorner.com and The Detroit Media Partnership.
In
addition, there is a growing base of individual support. Fans are
encouraged to become Rhythm Section members by making donations of any
size on line over the next few months, as philanthropist Gretchen Valade
will match any gift by 50 percent to help sustain the festival as a
free event.
DL Media