DSO dedicates its June jazz festival to Marcus Belgrave

Jazz trumpeter Marcus Belgrave passed away on Sunday, May 24 at 78-years-old. In honor of the much beloved musicians passing, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra has announced it will dedicate its June festival to Belgrave's honor. 

“Marcus was not only a Detroit legend, he was a jazz icon,” said DSO President and CEO Anne Parsons in a release. “His work with young musicians through his leadership position of the inaugural years of DSO's Civic Jazz program enabled our city's youth the opportunity to learn from the best, be inspired to believe in themselves and collaborate with others. He was our hero and our friend; he will be missed and remembered always.”

The festival, titled "A Musical Tale of Two Cities: Motown Meets the Big Easy,” will compare and contrast, through musical experiences of course, how Detroit and New Orleans have battled economic and natural disaster through music and art. 

The three-day jazz festival begins on June 2 and will include a screening of Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke, Mix @ the Max Bourbon Street Party with New Orleans' Big Sam's Funky Nation, and a DSO performance with Terrence Blanchard Quintet. 

The festival runs Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday June 4. Click here for more info.