Washingtonians, commuters, and people visiting the nation’s capital can unite in the name of music every Tuesday and Wednesday at Union Station, with January Jazz Jam, a live musical event highlighting District culture, presented by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“Union Station is one of the busiest and most important gateways in our region, and we want people who come through the station or arrive here in D.C. to have a welcoming experience – and a uniquely D.C. experience,” Bowser said in a statement. “January Jazz Jam will bring live local music to residents, visitors, and commuters, and that’s a great way to start the New Year at Washington Union Station.”
Presented in collaboration with Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) and Sing for Hope, and sponsored by the D.C. Office of Cable, Television, Film, Music and Entertainment (OCTFME) and the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, January Jazz Jam features rotating performances from local musicians, highlighting the breadth of talent in the District.
“January Jazz Jam is a powerful example of how Mayor Muriel Bowser’s continued investment in D.C.’s creative economy comes to life…On our stages, in our neighborhoods, and through the artists who shape our city’s cultural identity, “ said OCTFME Director LaToya Foster. “At OCTFME, we support live music, artist opportunities, and community-centered events like this to strengthen a creative ecosystem that drives jobs, tourism, and cultural pride while ensuring that D.C.’s homegrown talent has the resources to thrive.”
Performers have included the Wesley Biles Trio, Herb Scott Trio, Miles Sam Trio, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts Jazz Combo. Upcoming performances include the Alex Hamburger Trio (Jan. 20), Hot Mess Trio featuring Connor Holdridge and Gabriel Wallace (Jan. 21), Samuel Prather Trio (Jan. 27) and Simone Baron Duo/Trio (Jan. 28).
With performances on The Stage at Union Station on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m.- 6.m., USRC hopes to engage people traveling throughout the building in a new and entertaining way.
“As part of USRC’s mission to modernize the historic Washington Union Station, USRC is proud to be hosting the January Jazz Jam to enhance the daily commuter’s experience,” said Jennifer Seo, program manager at Union Station Redevelopment Corporation.
Hosting the jams at the ever-buzzing travel hub was about more than drawing big crowds, but being able to offer the healing power of music to the masses.
“The arts are more than a luxury; they are a civic utility essential to the heartbeat of a city,” said Sing for Hope Co-Founders Monica Yunus and Camille Zamora. “By bringing live music into public spaces, we transform a simple commute into a moment of shared humanity and creative welcome. Sing for Hope is honored to partner with Mayor Bowser and USRC to foster joy and connection right in the heart of our nation’s capital.”
For Aaron Myers, an award-winning musician and executive director of the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities, the January programming at Union Station emphasizes the importance of jazz to District culture overall.
“The January Jazz Jam is a powerful reminder of how deeply jazz is woven into the history of Washington, D.C.,” said Myers. This event creates space for artists to connect across generations and honor a legacy that continues to shape our city’s creative identity. At the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, we are proud to support gatherings like this that uplift local musicians, preserve our musical heritage, and keep D.C.’s jazz tradition accessible for the community.”