The DC Jazz Festival announced this week a veritable feast of free-of-charge programs, including a stylistically diverse, international roster of first-class jazz artists.
The free lineup of entertainment, presented by Events DC, will once again showcase a wide array of renowned and resident artists set to perform in more than 22 neighborhoods and 40 venues across the city.
“Few festivals present the depth and breadth of free programming represented by our festival offerings,” said Willard Jenkins, the festival’s artistic director. “These free programs include several artists making their D.C. debut, representing a diverse expression of the international language of jazz.”
The entertainment schedule includes:
DC JazzFest at The Wharf, Saturday, June 16
Featuring four main stages 11 a.m.-7 p.m., free programming includes: Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Ivan Lins & Friends, Ben Williams “I Am a Man” project, AMP Trio + Tahira Clayton (2017 DC JazzPrix young bands competition winner), Rochelle Rice, Mark G. Meadows, Akua Allrich, Reginald Cyntje, Washington Jazz Arts Institute Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Academy Ensemble, Michael Ventura, Jose Andre Band, Batala, and the 2018 DCJazzPrix Finals (five bands!) at the Hyatt House.
Events DC Presents: DC JazzFest at The Wharf, Sunday, June 17
Playing the District Pier and Transit Pier Stages, Noon-8 p.m., will be an unforgettable opportunity to experience the International Language of Jazz, including: trumpeter Fabrizio Bosso Quartet (Italy), harp masters Gregoire Maret (Switzerland) and Edmar Castañeda (Columbia), Hess Is More (Denmark), Ancestral Memories (Cuba/France), saxophonist Melissa Aldana (Chile), trombonist Reginald Cyntje (Virgin Islands), vocalist Rochelle Rice (UK), Jihye Lee Orchestra (Korea), and the amazing 12-year old keyboardist José Andre (Bolivia).
Jazz in The ‘Hoods Presented by Events DC: June 8-17
Our signature festival-within-a-festival, plays a variety of venues all across town, with several free performance opportunities on tap: Saturday, June 9, 6 p.m. Groove Time Dance Party w/Greg Hatza Organization, Seafarer’s Yacht Club; Sunday, June 10, 3 p.m. Beyond Genre Band w/Tamika Love Jones, Anacostia Arts Center; Monday, June 11, 7 p.m. World Percussionist Tom Teasley, UDC Recital Hall; Wednesday, June 13, 7 p.m. Allyn Johnson & Meet the Artist on the Bandstand feat. Paul Carr, UDC Recital Hall; and 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Jazz Jam led by Herb Scott, Mr. Henry’s; Saturday, June 16, Noon: Kris Funn & Cornerstone, Kreeger Museum; Sunday, June 17, 3 p.m. Freedom Jazz Dance – The Music of Eddie Harris w/Marshall Keys Soulful Path, Penn Hill.
Millennium Stage: It’s a Family Affair!: June 11-16 – 6 p.m.
DC JazzFest’s annual Millennium Stage series will focus on the jazz family, including jazz spousal units, and siblings, featuring: June 11 (vocalist) Esther Williams & (saxophonist) Davey Yarborough; June 12 The Redd Brothers (Chuck, drums; Robert, piano); June 15 (vocalist) Christie Dashiell Quartet with (drummer) C.V. Dashiell lll; Veronneau w/Lynn Veronneau (voice) & Ken Avis (guitar) and special guest Dave Kline (violin); June 17 (vocalist) Jessica & (saxophonist) Brian Settles.
The Great Outdoors
Enjoy great jazz on beautiful June afternoons & evenings than outdoors!
June 14, 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Square Park: Samuel Prather & Groove Orchestra; June 15, 5:30-8:30 at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden: Michael Thomas Quintet; June 16, 3 p.m. at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: A Soundtrack to the Struggle: Muses of the Movement featuring Ka’Ba Soul Singer Ensemble.