DETROIT, MI (July 3, 2008) - In 2007, the Wayne State University Department of Music embarked on a long-term partnership with the Detroit International Jazz Festival, serving as their Educational Advisor. The second annual Jazz Week@Wayne, a result of this collaboration, will be held July 21-25, 2008, at Wayne State. This one-week workshop will provide forty high school students with an intensive and rewarding jazz education. All participants, selected from surrounding high schools, are awarded full scholarships to attend the program, which concludes with a performance at Campus Martius on Friday, July 25, at 11:30 a.m.

The selection of JazzWeek participants began in March with on-site auditions at area high schools, followed by an open audition on Wayne's campus on May 3. WSU Jazz Faculty selected 40 students, based on their outstanding musicality, to participate at the second annual JazzWeek@Wayne. Guided by WSU faculty, guest artists, and performers from the 2008 Detroit International Jazz Festival, students will study jazz improvisation, theory, and ensemble playing. They will have an opportunity to work in master class settings, jam sessions, and small and large ensemble rehearsals with Jazz Faculty Christopher Collins (Director, Jazz Studies Program and Woodwind player), Russell Miller (ensemble director and Woodwind player) and Rob Pipho (instrumental jazz and improvisation), as well as festival guest artists David Taylor (percussion), Marion Hayden (bass), and artist-in-residence Christian McBride (bass).

JazzWeek will culminate in two public performances. On Friday, July 25, all JazzWeek participants will perform at Campus Martius Park in Downtown Detroit at 11:30 a.m. as part of the Ford Fourth Friday Music Series. Outstanding JazzWeek students will be selected for a position in the Detroit Jazz Festival All-Star Youth ensemble. All-Star members will be publicly announced at the July 25 performance and the All-Star Youth ensemble will perform on the Carhartt Ampitheater main stage at the Detroit International Jazz Festival on Saturday, August 30, at 1:15 pm.

For additional information on JazzWeek@Wayne visit www.music.wayne.edu/jazzweek.php. To view photos from the 2007 JazzWeek performance visit http://music.wayne.edu/jazzweek2007.php. For additional information on the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival, or to volunteer, visit www.detroitjazzfest.com.