Tribute from Dr. Norah Duncan

SUBMITTED BY: Dr. Norah Duncan, Professor and Chair, Department of Music, Wayne State University

For many years, Ed Love’s iconic voice has been emblematic of the Detroit community’s infinite love of jazz.  As a Detroiter, I am indebted to him for the service he has given. 

The only time I ever met Mr. Love was at a rehearsal of a performance of Duke Ellington’s “Sacred Music Concert” at Orchestra Hall several years ago.  Ed Love agreed to be the narrator for one of the movements.  In the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the former Paradise Theater, Ed Love’s voice seemed to channel Ellington’s message of brotherly and sisterly love as if the Duke was speaking to us on that day. 

He is the voice of jazz.