WASHINGTON -- If you don't think jazz and Washington, D.C. go together, you need to review your D.C. history. As NPR put it:
It's internationally known as the hometown of Duke Ellington, singer and pianist Shirley Horn, pianist Billy Taylor, and saxophonist Frank Wess, but the nation's [capital] is seldom recognized as fertile ground for jazz -- at least not like the cities of New York, Chicago, or Philadelphia.
Since 2005, the D.C. Jazz Festival has promoted Washington's role in creating America's music. This year's festival takes place June 5 to 16 at six main area venues: the Kennedy Center, The Hamilton Live, Kastles Stadium at The Wharf, Sixth & I Synagogue, The Phillips Collection and Jazz in the ‘Hoods, which brings live music to more than 40 local spots.
Some of the festival's most exciting music will emante from The Hamilton Live, which has partnered with The Washington Post for 10 nights of performances. This includes includes a special tribute by the Brubeck Brothers Quartet to their father, jazz great Dave Brubeck, who died in December.
Click through the slideshow to see who will be performing on The Hamilton Live stage during D.C. Jazz Fest:
D.C. Jazz Festival
A hotly anticipated concert by The Roots, familiar to many as Jimmy Fallon's house band, will dominate Kastles Stadium at The Wharf June 15. Snarky Puppy will open the show.
The previous day at the Kennedy Center, Jazz Meets the Latin Classics puts a jazzy spin on Latin compositions, while across town at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, From Bongos to Bagels will explore the convergence of Jewish and Latin music in the Catskills.
Jazz will also pop up around D.C. as Jazz in the 'Hoods takes live music around town. See the full list of participating venues here.
Which acts are you most excited to see?