Detroit Jazz Fest Goes Global

DETROIT, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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.

SOURCE Detroit International Jazz Festival