" data-original-title="" title="">Nancy Wilson rubbed noses with more mainstream sensibilities. There were even moments when scarcity in economic support threatened the chances of the festival's longevity. But through it all, the jazz legacy of Detroit and its people have ensured that Labor Day weekend always bodes well for live jazz in its many incarnations. As the old saying goes, "If you built it, they will come."

As a veteran attendee of the festival for going on some 27 years now, this writer can personally attest to the many changes that have occurred during the past quarter century. Although it is still possible to hobnob with the musicians while strolling through the lobby at the Marriot Renaissance Hotel, the chance for fan and artist communications on-site have diminished considerably over the years. Not surprising, the post-9/11 society that we find ourselves living in demands tighter constraints on just about everything in our lives including stage security. Furthermore, the need for funding has led to special VIP seating areas that continue to encroach on the lip of the stages and push the masses farther back.

For the first time in many years, the festival also seemed different in that there was a noticeable down-sizing in terms of the number of acts and the more prominent names seemed harder to find among the schedule. Part of that, it must be noted, is due to a paradigm shift in the music due to the passing of so many older jazz icons. Aside from the usual high school and college band performances, most stage schedules didn't even get underway until two or three o'clock in the afternoon. The practice also continued of giving the nod to many of the artists on the Mack Avenue Records roster being that philanthropist Gretchen Valade pulls several of the purse strings for both the label and the festival.

Another factor that would raise its prominent head this year would be the weather. Not something obviously under human control, the humidity and blaring temperatures nonetheless made for sticky conditions in most spots, but particularly at the Pyramid Stage where there is simply no cross ventilation. Such weather is always unpredictable, which led to lengthy rain delays throughout the entire weekend and the festival shutting down early on Saturday night. This managed to put the kibosh on Saturday night's performances of