Detroit Welcomes Back Jazz Icon Michael Franks
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One of Detroit’s favorite international jazz musicians, singer-songwriter Michael Franks, will return to Detroit on Saturday, Aug. 16,at Music Hall Center for teh Performing Arts,presented by Hollywood Casino at Greektown.
Popular in the Motor City region for more than four decades,Franks always draws adoring crowds to savor his complex melodies and witty,sometimes risqué lyrics. And with nearly 20 albums to his credit stretching from the 1970s into the current century, there’s a lot of material to draw from onstage.Year after year, Detroit audiences routinely sell out Franks’ performances, and sing along rapturously to each classic hit, roaring with adoration after each song. While the artist, at age 80, has slowed to just a few tour dates each year, he faithfully keeps Detroit on his docket. His soft tenor completely unchanged by the decades – close your eyes during his concerts and feel the years melt away – he delivers as consistently as ever.
Franks is currently working on a new album expected in 2026 and a podcast with Veronica Nunn. He has played numerous Detroit venues over the years and considers the city to have his best fans.
story Highlights:
Jazz musician Michael Franks will perform at Detroit’s Music Hall Center on Aug. 16.
Franks, 80, has been popular in Detroit for over four decades and consistently sells out shows.
He is currently working on a new album expected in 2026 and a podcast with Veronica Nunn.
Franks has played numerous detroit venues over the years and considers the city to have his best fans.
(Video: The evolution and icons of jazz music)
Explore the rich history of jazz, from its origins in New Orleans to its rise in popularity during the swing era, and delve into the legacies of iconic artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane.
Michael Franks Returns to Detroit with Timeless Jazz
Singer-songwriter Michael Franks is set to perform at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts in Detroit on Saturday, August 16th, 2025. This return engagement comes almost a year after his last Detroit appearance, and Franks expresses his deep affection for the city and its dedicated music fans. https://www.musichall.org/events/Michael-Franks
Finding Inspiration in the Catskills
Franks has recently found a creative haven in the Catskill Mountains of New York, a region increasingly popular with musicians. He describes the area, located about 15 miles from his home, as a place where he can collaborate with local talent and enjoy a relaxed working environment.
“It’s been great for me to work with locals, rather than just schlep people up from the city, and be totally relaxed. It’s been great,” Franks shared. He specifically mentioned the presence of accomplished musicians like Brazilian percussionist Mino cinélu, who also resides in the area. The Catskills’ growing musical community, with connections to institutions like berklee College of Music, provides a fertile ground for collaboration and artistic growth.
A Long History with Detroit Audiences
Franks has a long and cherished history with Detroit audiences, having performed at venues like the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre (formerly Meadow Brook) numerous times.He fondly recalls a notably memorable concert at the aretha Franklin Amphitheatre where fans remained steadfast despite a torrential downpour.
“We played what is now called the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, so many times,” Franks said. “I’ve got a fan who sent me some footage taken on their phone from the last time we played Aretha Franklin, and I could not believe it – there was a pouring thunderstorm. I could not believe how everyone stayed. Detroit is the greatest.”
performance Details
Michael Franks
Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts,350 madison Ave.,Detroit
8 p.m., Saturday, August 16, 2025
Tickets start at $79.60. https://www.musichall.org/events/Michael-Franks
Michael Franks continues to captivate audiences with his sophisticated jazz-infused songwriting and smooth vocals. His upcoming Detroit performance promises an evening of musical artistry and a celebration of his enduring connection with the city’s vibrant music scene. Fans can anticipate a performance filled with both classic favorites and potentially new material, showcasing Franks’ continued evolution as a musician.