Detroit Jazz Festival has found its new artistic director naming saxophonist Chris Collins, director of jazz studies at Wayne State University to the post. Collins, who has toured internationally as a band leader, is best known as a contemporary mainstream tenor saxophonist. He has also explored various fusions, including marriages of jazz with techno music and jazz with Irish folk music, the latter featuring his clarinet work. "I've seen all of the variations of how the artistic side has been managed, and I've noted the good, bad and the ugly. I'm looking forward to combining my knowledge of the local scene, the uniqueness of the Detroit sound that we've created, along with an understanding of broader national talent and new developments on the global scene," said Collins. A photo of Collins is included.

http://www.freep.com/article/20111107/ENT04/111107068/Wayne-State-saxophonist-will-head-Detroit-Jazz-Fest-artistic-direction
http://www.detnews.com/article/20111107/ENT04/111070429/1361/Wayne-State-professor-named-creative-director-of-Detroit-Jazz-Festival