Every gift you make helps preserve not just music, but the memories, people, and places that built Detroit’s sound. Below are two stories that embody why this work matters — stories of legacy, love, and the rhythm that connects us all.
The Bill Foster Collection
For nearly seventy years, Bill Foster has been one of Detroit’s greatest champions of jazz — from producing concerts that spotlighted local legends to founding the Jazz Network Foundation.
Over the past two years, Bill has partnered with Detroit Sound Conservancy to build a collection that preserves his extraordinary career — and honors the connections that make Detroit’s music community so special.
🎥 Watch below as Director Michelle McKinney and a few of our dedicated volunteers share the story behind this powerful collaboration and the lasting impact of Bill Foster’s work.
Echoes of the Blue Bird
During our annual Blue Bird Barbecue, longtime Tireman residents Deacon Noah King and Adrian Ponder shared memories of growing up near the club and how it brought people together through music and community.
Before his passing in October 2025, Deacon King reflected on what it meant to see the Blue Bird restored — the place where he got his first job at age 12.
🎥 Watch below to hear Deacon King and Adrian Ponder’s stories and join us in honoring the community that built the Blue Bird Inn.
Support the Sound. Donate Today!
Every story we preserve brings Detroit’s sound one note closer to forever.
Your generosity makes that possible — from restoring the Blue Bird Inn to expanding our archives and creating new opportunities for young artists to share their voices.
As we close out the year, we invite you to make a special year-end gift by December 31 to help us finish strong and carry this momentum into 2026. Your support — in any amount — helps preserve Detroit’s sound, spirit, and legacy for generations to come.