When:
June 5th – 15th, 2009
Where:
Washington, D.C.
- Jazz in the Hoods – dozens of jazz clubs, cafés, bars, and restaurants all over Washington, D.C. will host local and world-renowned acts alike. In Adams Morgan, Capitol Hill, Downtown, U Street, Georgetown, and more – the streets will be brimming with music.
- Jazz on the National Mall – Now that the festival is taking place during the warm, hazy Washington, D.C. Summer, the National Mall is hosting two free, all-day events that celebrate the sounds of New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz. Terence Blanchard, Buckwheat Zydeco, Rebirth Brass Band, Nicholas Payton, and Paquito D’Rivera are among the featured performers.
- NEA Jazz Master Concert – The last day of the festival, June 15th, the National Endowment of the Arts will honor pianist Ellis Marsalis, this year’s recipient of the Jazz Master Award, with a a concert featuring the Marsalis family, including Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo, and Jason. Harry Connick, Jr. and Dr. Billy Taylor are also slated to perform.
Other Events:
In addition to the nightly performances, the 5th Duke Ellington Jazz Festival will present student concerts, master classes, and activities for families. Family Fun Day, on June 7th, will feature a series of concerts, storytelling, visual art exhibitions, and workshops that give children the opportunity to become acquainted with musical instruments.
D.C.’s Jazz Fest
The best part about the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival is that it shines a light on the entire jazz community all at once, reminding Washingtonians that there is an alternative to the inevitable stuffiness in the nation’s capital – a thriving jazz scene. Often eclipsed by the New York City jazz bubble, Washington has its own soulful, swinging music. In fact, Duke Ellington was born in Washington, and began his career as a bandleader there. One of the oldest jazz clubs in the country, Blues Alley, continues to present top jazz artists. The city is home to dozens of clubs and restaurants that feature local jazz musicians, and preserve the long Washington D.C. jazz tradition.
For more information, visit the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival Website.
