Big Chief Donald Harrison: Nouveau Swing in Detroit

Big Chief Donald Harrison brings his Afro-New Orleans jazz vision to Detroit. A saxophonist steeped in New Orleans second-line and Mardi Gras Indian culture, Harrison is celebrated for the 'Nouveau Swing' sound he developed — a blend of jazz with R&B, hip-hop, rock and soul. His hard-swinging improvisational style has earned him recognition as an NEA Jazz Master, and his career has spanned Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, orchestral commissions, and screen appearances.

For this Detroit performance, listeners can expect a rhythm-driven set shaped by Congo Square traditions and a lifetime of New Orleans cultural knowledge. With the authority of his Big Chief title, Harrison draws on decades as a bandleader and mentor to younger musicians, offering a chance to experience a living link between classic jazz and contemporary Afro-New Orleans expression.