A tribute to Ed Love

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For more than 40 years he has delighted the airwaves of WDET-FM with his radio show “Destination Jazz: The Ed Love Program”.

Now the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre is honoring the radio personality with a Wednesday concert featuring jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, virtuoso bassist Ralphe Armstrong and saxophonist James Carter.

“This concert is not just a tribute, but a testament to the enduring power of jazz and the profound impact Ed has had on the Detroit music scene,” said Shahida Mausi, president of The Right Productions, which manages The Aretha. “His dedication to the genre and his ability to inspire both artists and audiences alike are unparalleled.”

Love began his career at WDET in 1983, but started at KIND-AM in his home state of Kansas in 1951 at the age of 19. Love spent the rest of the decade in West Virginia, Philadelphia and New York before moving to Detroit in 1960, where he has lived ever since.

Here’s a clip from my interview with 92-year-old Love, where he discussed his decades-long career, his love of jazz and his favorite artists. If you’d like to watch “Destination Jazz,” the show airs Sundays from 5-7 p.m. and Tuesdays from midnight to 2 a.m.

BridgeDetroit: When you started your career at KIND-AM, did you think you would still be working in radio more than 60 years later?

Love: I didn’t think I’d live this long. When I turned 50, I didn’t think I’d live. When I turned 70, I didn’t think I’d live to 90. And now that I’m 92, I know I don’t have long. But when I was on KIND, I hoped I’d be on the radio my whole life, however long, and it looks like that’s the way it’s going to be. I have two loves, one is family and the other is radio. And I’m lucky that I get to play the music I love on the radio.

BridgeDetroit: What motivates you to continue at WDET?

Love: It’s just the love of radio and the love of playing jazz on the radio. I enjoy it so much that I often say, “If I die, I should just die up here on the control desk.” That would be ideal. That would be dramatic.

BridgeDetroit: Jazz is not as popular on the radio as it once was. Why do you think that is?

Love: Because most radio managers are not jazz fans, that’s one reason. And they thought that a lot of people don’t like jazz, but I know better. But a lot of radio managers, excuse my language, don’t have the balls or the guts to put jazz on the program.

BridgeDetroit: Who are some of your absolute jazz favorites?

Love: The singers are Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holliday and Betty Carter. And then there’s John Coltrane on tenor saxophone. Dizzy Gillespie on trumpet and Bud Powell on piano.

As always, I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

Bottom up,

Micah

313 Scene

• The damaged Dabls Mbad African Bead Museum was demolished last week. Museum founder Olayami Dabls is now focusing on the future and the prospect of a brand new building.
• BridgeDetroit intern Juniper Favenyesi writes that Belle Isle, the Detroit Sound Conservancy and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit are among the cultural assets receiving a total of $2.6 million in philanthropic support.
• Acclaimed Detroit blues singer Thornetta Davis will headline the second edition of the Bourbon and Blues Festival, which returns to Eastern Market on August 25. The Queen of the Blues has been active since the 1980s and has sung background vocals for Bob Seger, Big Chief and Kid Rock. She has also recorded several solo albums for the Sub Pop label.
• In an unannounced move, rocker Jack White’s latest album landed on July 19, but only to unsuspecting customers who happened to shop at his Third Man Records stores in Detroit, Nashville and London. There, tucked discreetly into the checkout bags of all purchases, was a plain-sleeved record package containing a 12-inch record simply labeled “No Name.”
• Big Sean has announced the release of “Better Me Than You,” his first album in four years. The Detroit rapper’s sixth studio album is set to be released on August 9. The 36-year-old is also preparing to release his first book, “Go Higher: Five Practices for Purpose, Success, and Inner Peace,” which is set to be released on October 8.

What’s going on in D?

• Midtown Detroit, Inc. has launched its Midtown Street Fair series. On Saturday, the organization will host its Canfield Street Fair from noon to 5 p.m. The free event will include a DJ, cornhole, shopping and an ice-dyeing workshop.
• The first NOVA24 Photo and Film Festival will take place at various locations in Detroit until August 1st and will focus on the city’s film and photography scene. The festival includes an extensive program with exhibitions, film screenings, artist talks and workshops.
• MAP Fest (Festival of Music, Art and Poetry) returns to Avalon Village in Highland Park on Saturday from 2-9 p.m. Local musicians Rockim Williamson, Asaka The Renegade and AyeWhy, as well as poets Solfull Poetry, Hakeem The People’s Poet and P Tha Poet will also take the stage and attendees can see live art performances by Jewels of Detroit Art Alliance, VRS Chuck and other artists. General admission tickets are $20, VIP tickets are $50.
• Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and the Board of Elections will host a “Go Vote” street festival on W. Grand Boulevard between Second and Third Avenues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Guests can expect entertainment, family activities, food trucks, games, prizes and more. Residents can also vote early for the state’s upcoming primary.

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