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The Metro: Documentary highlights Detroit’s contributions to American Jazz

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Tia Graham
9 December 2025 at 20:57

Jazz emerged from the Black community in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the South. 

The Great Migration and the promise of a better life brought jazz north, where Detroit became a mini haven for the genre and its expanding sound.  

The film titled “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit” wants to remind audiences and lovers of jazz of the rich history and artists that Detroit has shared with the world. 

The documentary transports audiences through time, exploring the intersections of Detroit jazz with the importance of the Great Migration to Black Bottom and beyond. It features giants that you’ve heard on The Metro before like Rodney Whitaker, Marion Hayden, Regina Carter, Kareem Riggins and Endea Owens. 

Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit is now streaming on Prime Video.

Mark Stryker is a journalist, author and filmmaker. He is also a co-producer of “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit”.

 

Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on demand.

Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Support local journalism.

WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

The post The Metro: Documentary highlights Detroit’s contributions to American Jazz appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Metro Events Guide: Making spirits bright with comedy, music and dance

✇WDET 101.9 FM
By: Natalie Albrecht
4 December 2025 at 19:43

Hunkering down at home is tempting as temperatures drop and snow falls, but there are experiences worth braving the weather—at least for a moment.

Keep out the chill with moving musical performances, comedy, and more in metro Detroit.

Upcoming events

Holiday Cabaret

📍 Detroit Public Theatre

🗓  Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 21

🎟  $52 

A holiday season celebration crafted with wit and rowdy charm! An ongoing tradition, the Detroit Public Theatre’s Holiday Cabaret features talented vocalists and adult humor. This weekend, Dec. 4-7 is the time to catch the preview shows and the premiere. 

Holiday Nights in Greenfield Village

📍 Greenfield Village

🗓  Thursday, Dec. 4 through Sunday, Dec. 28

🎟  $36-44

Take a walk through time and enjoy festivities at Greenfield Village. Carols, roasted chestnuts, artisan crafts, ice skating and Model-T rides will get the whole family in the holiday spirit while immersing them in history.

Paradise Jazz: Malcolm X Jazz Suite

📍 Detroit Symphony Orchestra

🗓  Friday, Dec. 5

🎟  $21+

Terence Blanchard and his band The E-Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet reprise his Malcom X Jazz Suite. The initial suite modified Blanchard’s compositions for the 1992 film Malcom X, directed by Spike Lee, for live performance. After its evolutions over the years, Blanchard’s latest version offers audiences a new stirring experience. Performance begins at 8 p.m.

Variety Show

📍 The Congregation Detroit

🗓  Friday, Dec. 5

🎟  $20 online (with fees), $25 at the door

A two-hour blend of burlesque, drag, comedy, and improv sure to entertain and delight! This event is hosted by Sarah Lynn and presented by Best Case Scenario Comedy. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. Bring cash for tipping performers. This event is 18 and up.

Killers, Freaks, and Radicals

📍 Senate Theater in Detroit

🗓  Friday, Dec. 5

🎟  $12

Attend the Detroit premiere of a locally-produced true crime documentary on the Michigan Co-Ed Killer. The show opens with an organ overture, and Director Andrew Templeton will be present to discuss the film following the showing. 

Merry Midtown

📍 Midtown Detroit

🗓  Saturday, Dec. 6

🎟  Free

In place of Noel Night, over 50 local businesses have organized a night to shop, dine and explore midtown. From 5-9 p.m., people of all ages are welcome to enjoy ice carving demonstration, live performances, photo booths and more

East Meets West: Christmas in the Holy Land

📍 Music Hall Detroit

🗓  Saturday, Dec. 6

🎟  $67+

Explore another side of Christmas with National Arab Orchestra through a cultural blend of holiday music. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Joe Reilly and the All Nations Dancers: Welcome Winter

📍 Detroit Institute of Arts

🗓  Saturday, Dec. 6

🎟  Free with general admission

The All Nations Dancers, representing the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes, celebrate winter and Mother Earth with songs performed by singer-songwriter Joe Reilly. The performance starts at 2 p.m. in the Riviera Court. While at the museum, check out the current exhibit Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation until April 5, 2026. 

Detroit Urban Craft Fair

📍 Masonic Temple

🗓  Saturday, Dec. 6 through Sunday, Dec. 7

🎟  $5

    Shop for a variety of artisan and homemade goods from over 100 artists, including crocheted items, decor, soaps, journals, jewelry and more. Meet the makers and find presents for yourself and others from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Children 12 and under get free entry both days after 1 p.m.

    Support local journalism.

    WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    The post Metro Events Guide: Making spirits bright with comedy, music and dance appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

    The Metro: Filmmaker of Detroit documentary wants his art to heal

    ✇WDET 101.9 FM
    By: Sam Corey
    13 November 2025 at 02:52

    Detroit has changed a lot in the last two decades. 

    There’s more investment in the downtown and midtown areas. There are more people milling about the city. The parks and public areas have improved. 

    Stephen McGee witnessed those changes up close.The photographer and award-winning filmmaker came to Detroit decades ago and began photographing the city for the Detroit Free Press. He aggregated a lot of that work into his documentary, “Resurgo.”

    In it, he focuses his lens on decaying infrastructure, new investments injected into the area, and the people who never left.

    Who gets credit for all these changes? And, how can the investments in Detroit be more inclusive of those that have always been here?

    These are some of the questions that McGee’s “Resurgo,” asks. It will be playing at the Emagine theater Thursday, Nov. 12 in Royal Oak at 7 p.m.

    Listen to The Metro weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon ET on 101.9 FM and streaming on-demand.

    Subscribe to The Metro on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or NPR or wherever you get your podcasts.

     

    Support local journalism.

    WDET strives to cover what’s happening in your community. As a public media institution, we maintain our ability to explore the music and culture of our region through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.

    More stories from The Metro

    The post The Metro: Filmmaker of Detroit documentary wants his art to heal appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

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