DC Jazz Fest Celebrates 20 Years of Global Talent and Local Heritage

Washington’s premier jazz event marks its 20th year, featuring over 100 artists across multiple venues.

Duke Ellington. By Dante Zaballa - The New York Times.

After a summer spent covering music festivals in Barcelona, TMN’s young reporters are set to immerse themselves in a quintessential American experience. This time, it’s unfolding in the very land where Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born and raised. Imagine the opportunity to experience this distinctive blend of music at its source—the DC Jazz Fest, during Labor Day weekend in the nation’s capital.

Two things distinguish the DC metro area (also known as the DMV, for DC, Maryland, and Virginia): its rich musical heritage in both punk & jazz. Punk music in Washington, D.C., has its roots in the district’s 1960s counterculture. Venues like The Atlantis, recently reopened as a concert venue after years of disuse, played a significant role in developing the punk scene. Bands such as Iron Cross, the Velvet Monkeys, Bad Brains, the Teen Idles, and, of course, Fugazi emerged in the early 1980s, shaping the genre’s local legacy.

Jazz, on the other hand, shares similarities with punk embodying the spirit of revelry and improvisation. Both genres are deeply embedded in Washington, D.C.’s culture, as a testament to the city’s rich artistic heritage and diverse cultural contrasts. As music lovers, we are eager to share the experience of the DC Jazz Fest, which will showcase over 100 artists across multiple venues throughout the city. For TMN youth reporters, this will be yet another great and unique and unforgettable experience.

Pictures below: Fugazi in the '80s. Photo: @fugazi_livearchive

Unique Highlights of the DC Jazz Fest

Washington, DC's rich cultural tapestry shines brightly through its vibrant foreign embassy community, which plays a significant role in this year’s DC Jazz Fest. Celebrating jazz as a universal language, the festival collaborates with embassies from Australia, Chile, Cuba, Finland, France, and Italy. This partnership brings to the stage an array of international talent, including the extraordinary saxophonist James Morrison from Australia, the woman-centric ensemble Confluencia from Chile, the electrifying Cimafunk from Cuba, and the innovative pianist Joonas Haavisto from Finland. Additionally, the festival will feature the Clovis Nicholas Quartet from France, with the acclaimed trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, and the masterful Paolo Fresu from Italy.

In addition to these international stars, the lineup includes Detroit-born Dianne Reeves, renowned New York singer Samara Joy, and talented saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin. British singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator Jacob Collier will also take the stage, alongside American bassist Stanley Clarke and Latin jazz drummer, percussionist, composer, and arranger Bobby Sanabria.

Pictures below: Samara Joy, Jeremy Pelt, Cimafunk and Joonas Haavisto.

The DC Jazz Fest stands as the largest and most diverse music festival in the nation’s capital, drawing over 100,000 residents and visitors each Labor Day Weekend. The festival’s performances span across the city, including venues such as The District Wharf, Arena Stage, Union Stage, The Anthem, Takoma Station, Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Kreeger Museum, and various clubs, parks, and restaurants. Tickets are available at the following link.

The DC Jazz Festival celebrates jazz through year-round programs and performances featuring top local, national, and international artists. Its mission is to showcase both renowned and emerging talents, foster community connections, advance jazz and music education, and highlight Washington, DC, as a vibrant jazz hub. The annual festival, one of the largest in the country, draws jazz enthusiasts from around the globe. We are eager to be there to experience it firsthand and bring it to you.

As the DC Jazz Fest and other vibrant cultural events unfold across the DMV, TMN is excited to expand our team of talented youth reporters. We invite young creatives passionate about music, culture, art, and entertainment to JOIN US as music journalists, photographers, and curious individuals eager to capture and share these dynamic experiences while learning along the way.