DCJazzFest, celebrating all things Jazz over Labor Day Weekend dcjazzfest.
Lineup:
Eddie Palmieri Afro-Caribbean Jazz Octet - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
One of the reigning kings of latin jazz, multiple grammy-winning pianist, composer, bandleader and nea jazz master eddie palmieri is a leading figure in the evolution of the genre. A true legend, this celebrated artist from puerto rico will electrify the masses gathered at the wharf for dc jazzfest® 2025.
Ron Carter - Arena Stage
The guiness book of world records designee as the most recorded bassist in the immense history of recorded music, 2024/2025 dc jazz festival artist-in-residence and nea jazz master ron carter is quite simply one of the most distinguished artists in american music. Though his incomparable public profile was set primarily as a member of the great miles davis' mid-60s "second great quintet" with wayne shorter, herbie hancock, tony williams and miles, ron carter has contributed to a vast array of recorded projects and on bandstands across the globe as an extraordinary bandleader – from his legendary trio with the late guitarist russell malone, to his peerless "piccolo quartet", which he led from his unique piccolo bass instrument, to his ongoing big band projects and various & sundry ensembles in between.
John Scofield Trio - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
John scofield's guitar work has influenced jazz since the late 70's and is going strong today. Possessor of a very distinctive sound and stylistic diversity, scofield is a masterful jazz improviser whose music generally falls somewhere between post-bop, funk edged jazz, and r & b.
Emmet Cohen Trio - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
A young artist with an old soul, pianist emmet cohen has established himself through rewarding partnerships with his jazz elders – including nea jazz masters jimmy heath, jimmy cobb and ron carter, as well as saxophonist houston person – both in-studio and onstage. During the pandemic, his "live from emmet's place" concerts from his harlem apartment became hugely popular, garnering millions of views.
Gary Bartz Ntu Troop - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
The recipient of a 2024 nea jazz master award, alto and soprano saxophonist gary bartz is a proud son of baltimore whose legacy runs deep in the dmv, where he has developed a robust audience. Bartz's ntu troop is an electrifying ensemble that delivers a powerful message of struggle, love and hope, exploring black consciousness within the realm of jazz.
Keyon Harrold - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
A thoroughly modern jazz trumpeter, as a bandleader keyon harrold has expressed his artistry in recorded and performance settings that incorporate the art of improvisationers and music of his generation, hip hop. His career has ranged from performing on trumpet in the miles ahead film about miles davis to crafting instrumental backdrops for jay-z, mary j. Blige and a host of other musical greats.
The Jazzmeia Horn Quartet - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
After winning the thelonious monk institute international jazz competition in 2015, this magnetic vocalist has received two grammy nominations. Her broad repertoire ranges from jazz standards n the tradition of betty carter and sarah vaughan to distinctive jazz remakes of material by artists like stevie wonder.
Corcoran Holt - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
The 2024/2025 dc jazz festival artist-in-residence, corcoran holt is a dc native and graduate of the duke ellington school of the arts. Currently teaching at arizona state university, he has graced toured and recorded with jazz pioneers includings nea jazz masters jimmy cobb, benny golson, jimmy heath and kenny garrett. Corcoran began his musical pursuits at age 4 when he studied west african percussion instruments.
Paul Carr & Vanessa Rubin - Arena Stage
Paul carr, a houston native and 1985 howard university graduate, has dedicated his professional career to performing and promoting jazz through education and community outreach. He carries on the texas tenor tradition espoused by great heroes such as the late houstonians arnett cobb and don wilkerson who served as his early idols and mentors. He grew up in inner-city houston, texas and was a member of the kashmere high school stage band, whose director, the late conrad johnson, is the subject of a documentary, thunder soul, produced by actor, jamie foxx.
Hiruy Tirfe Quartet - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
Winner of the 2024 dcjazzprix, this energetic quartet is helmed by the soaring tenor saxophone of philly-based hiruy tirfe, who is of eritrean descent. He has collaborated with the roots, patti labelle and solange knowles, among others.
Todd Marcus - Arena Stage
The baltimore-based composer and bandleaders has been aptly characterized as one of only a handful of jazz artists in the world to focus their work primarily on the bass clarinet, though he also excels on the clarinet. As a bandleader he has embraced the jazz clarinet tradition, including collaborations with such masters of the instrument as don byron.
Makoto Ozone & Gregoire Maret - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
A renowned japanese pianist who studied at the berklee college of music, where he first encountered and subsequently performed with vibraphonist gary burton. He has made over 40 albums as a leader or co-leader, including partnerships with nea jazz masters chick corea and burton. Additionally he has composed film soundtracks and has worked extensively in jazz education.
Lyle Link - Dc Jazzfest At The Wharf
One of the dmv's most in-demand tenor saxophonists and flutists, he has performed with an array of jazz and pop greats. He has also performed with the smithsonian jazz masterworks orchestra, the richmond symphony, and the baltimore symphony orchestra. In addition to leading his group, the lyle link quartet, he is a music educator at the sheridan school and the levine school of music.
Additional Dates:
