As someone that spends a lot of time at concerts and festivals, I always preach the importance of thanking the people who do all the heavy lifting to make the event go off without a hitch.

That’s the bartenders, the security guards, the folks running the stages, keeping the sound sharp, making sure the grounds are clean and safe for patrons. And everybody else in between.

During this year’s Detroit Jazz Fest, take a moment to thank these people as you go out about your day.

So, what does it take to make four days of jazz go off without a hitch? And programmed as well as it is?

Behind the scenes of the Detroit Jazz Festival is artistic director Christopher Collins and his incredible team, who blend the next generation of performers with the legends of jazz each year. 

The 2025 edition of the festival is no different, with rising saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin alongside iconic Detroit bassist Marion Hayden and 83-year-old Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés.

I got the chance to chat with Christopher Collins ahead of this year’s Detroit Jazz Festival to talk about the programming and also the importance of keeping the event free and open to the public. Click the audio above to hear that full interview.