DETROIT - August 3, 2000 - WDET will broadcast all four days of the 21st Annual Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival live from noon until 11 PM, beginning Friday September 1 through Monday, September 4. Local listeners will be able to enjoy the entire day's broadcast and the national broadcast of the festival will begin at 6 PM each day. "WDET is proud to bring this wonderful Detroit tradition to local and national listeners," said Judy Adams, WDET program director. "This music festival is one of Detroit's premier cultural events and it's packed with a great line-up of talent. WDET is thrilled to bring the festival to an even wider audience." Legendary national and local jazz artists such as Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, Dr. John, Poncho Sanchez, Barry Harris, Steve Turre, Carla Cook, Teddy Harris Jr., Chris Collins and Barbara Ware will be among the many performers at this year's Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival, North America's largest free music event. The 125-act, five-stage, four-day music celebration is loaded with a diverse sampling of talent. Ed Love, WDET program host and festival senior program consultant said, "In booking this year's festival, it was interesting, and just plain fun, to program jazz legends, favorites of today and the artists of tomorrow." Live broadcasts of the Hart Plaza event will feature WDET program hosts and guests from National Public Radio stations nationwide. WDET's W. Kim Heron will host the afternoon broadcasts and John Penney will host the nationally broadcast evening performances. Many WDET hosts will be on hand at the festival serving as emcees. WDET also invites listeners to stop by the station's promotional booth in Hart Plaza throughout the festival. "We especially want to thank Absopure Water Company for their sponsorship which is making this broadcast possible," Adams said. Contact: Kevin Piotrowski Telephone: 313-577-3342 kpiotrowsky@wdetfm.org