2016 DC Jazz Festival Artists and Venues Features a Diverse Array of International Talent

Source: All About Jazz
May 21, 2016
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Jazz Greats and More to Perform Across the Nation's Capital, June 10-19.

The DC Jazz Festival (DC JazzFest)��the country��s fastest growing jazz festival��kicks off Jazz Appreciation month by delineating the amazing array of 2016 artists and venues, a diverse selection of renowned and emerging artists performing in venues across the nation��s capital, June 10-19.

Locally, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists confirmed for the 2016 DC JazzFest include

Kamasi Washington

saxophone
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Kamasi Washington,

Cecile McLorin Salvant

vocals
b.1989

" data-original-title="" title="">Cecile McLorin Salvant,

Maceo Parker

saxophone, alto
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Maceo Parker,

Regina Carter

violin
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Regina Carter, Igmar Thomas & The Revive Big Band with Talib Kweli, Bilal and

Ravi Coltrane

saxophone, tenor
b.1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Ravi Coltrane,

Eddie Palmieri

piano
1936 - 2025

" data-original-title="" title="">Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Septet,

Steve Coleman

saxophone, alto
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Coleman and Five Elements, and

Kurt Elling

vocals
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Kurt Elling�� and that��s just the tip of the bold tower of talent on tap throughout the city in June.

The DC Jazz Festival is dedicated to showcasing the wealth of great artists based across the globe and throughout our own community. In addition to adding three days to the Festival, DC JazzFest has also added performance venues this year, through such new partnerships as one with the National Park Service (free shows at the Sylvan Theatre, Pershing Park, Dupont Circle and Farragut Square); and with the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, featuring the Smithsonian Masterworks Orchestra.

��Summer begins in the nation��s capital as soon as DC Jazz Festival kicks off the season with all things jazz in June,�� said Sunny Sumter, DC Jazz Festival Executive Director. ��In just twelve short years, the DC JazzFest has grown to attract 80,000 music lovers locally and from around the world to enjoy diverse performances in the most exciting venues and neighborhoods in DC including a three-day blowout at Yards Park on the Capitol Riverfront.��

2016 Festival highlights and primary venues include:

DC JazzFest at The Hamilton Live presented by The Washington Post (June 10-19) Eight eclectic nights of electrifying performances from acclaimed artists such as funk and soul jazz saxophonist Maceo Parker; ��master of improvisational jazz violin�� and MacArthur genius grant recipient Regina Carter; Grammy-winning vocalist, composer and lyricist Kurt Elling; post- bop pianist and composer Harold Mabern with one of the great tenor saxophonists of our time Eric Alexander; prolific trombone & shells master Steve Turre, most well-known as a member of The Saturday Night Live Band for over 30 years; Grammy-nominated organist, trumpeter and vocalist Joey DeFrancisco, genre-busting, multi-instrumentalist and two-time Grammy winner (with Snarky Puppy) Cory Henry, and the island proud Caribbean rhythms of trumpeter Etienne Charles (Trinidad) and Jamaican ska, reggae and jazz guitar pioneer Ernest Ranglin. Address. 600 14th St NW.

Schedule

6/10 �C Doors 7:00 pm/Show 8:30 pm
Regina Carter Quartet / Ben Williams & Sound Effect

6/11 �C Doors 7:00 pm/Show 8:30 pm
Kurt Elling / Jody Nardone Trio

6/12 �C Doors 6:30 pm/Show 7:30 pm
Etienne Charles Creole Soul / Jimmy Greene Quartet

6/15 �C Doors 6:30 pm/Show 7:30 pm
Cymande / Chelsey Green and The Green Project

6/16 �C Doors 6:30 pm/Show 7:30 pm
Ernest Ranglin & Avila / with special guest Yotam Silberstein

6/17 �C Doors 6:30 pm/Show 7:30 pm
Maceo Parker

6/17 �C Doors 9:30 pm/Show 10:00 pm
Maceo Parker (late show)

6/18 �C Doors 7:00 pm/Show 8:30 pm
Smoke Sessions Records Presents Harold Mabern Quartet plus special guest Eric Alexander / Steve Turre Quartet

6/19 �C Doors 6:30 pm/Show 7:30 pm
Joey DeFrancesco / Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles

DC Jazz Festival and Events DC Present Jazz at The Yards (June 17-19), The Festival��s outdoor showcase on the Capitol Riverfront at Yards Park returns for the third year �C with a third day of performances added. The acclaimed artists previously announced for the Capitol Riverfront are: 2016 GRAMMY winner C��cile McLorin Salvant; Igmar Thomas & The Revive Big Band featuring singer/songwriter Bilal, hip hop artist Talib Kweli and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane; jazz saxophonist, composer and band leader Kamasi Washington; GRAMMY Award-winning pianist, band leader, composer and NEA Jazz Master Eddie Palmieri��s Latin Jazz Septet; DC��s legendary go-go pioneers The Chuck Brown Band; Grlls Rule!: Brazilia vocalist Cissa Paz; Sharel Cassity & Elektra; saxophonist Fred Foss presents a Tribute to NEA Jazz Master Jackie McLean; E.J. Strickland & Transient Beings; and performances from the three finalists of DCJazzPrix TM , DC JazzFest��s exciting new jazz band competition. Address: 355 Water Street, SE. Tickets available through Ticketmaster.com.

A Night at the Kennedy Center: DC JazzFest Salutes Howard University Jazz (June 13, 8pm), presents an all-star evening celebrating Howard University��s fathers of jazz education, Professor Fred Irby III and Dr. Art Dawkins. Howard University��s jazz program has produced great masters as well as leading contemporary, cutting edge, and emerging artists in the fields of jazz, pop, gospel, R&B, hip hop, and beyond! DC JazzFest Salutes Howard University Jazz features NEA Jazz Master Benny Golson, gospel master Richard Smallwood, Greg Osby, Loston Harris, Mark Batson, Tim Warfield, Cyrus Chestnut, Paul Carr, Afro Blue, Carroll Dashiell, Raymond Angry, Shelton Becton, Kris Funn, Savannah Harris, and more. Address: 2700 F St., NW. Tickets available through Kennedy Center Box Office

DC Jazz Festival and Events DC Present Jazz in the ��Hoods (June 10-19) This series represents an exciting partnership with local clubs, restaurants, hotels and galleries in celebration of jazz in our nation��s capital. Tickets are currently on sale for Steve Coleman and Five Elements, performing on June 14, 8pm, at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. Address: 600 I Street, NW. Tickets available through Sixth and I Box Office

Jazz in the ��Hoods will take place in more than 18 neighborhoods, presenting a mix of local and nationally recognized artists to celebrate the genre. It has a tradition of attracting large, varied audiences of DC residents and tourists of great diversity. Jazz in the ��Hoods includes the CapitalBop D.C. Jazz Loft Series featuring innovative, boundary-breaking and beyond-jazz artists; the East River JazzFest; and a partnership with Transparent Productions. Jazz in the ��Hoods performances will also be held at Twins Jazz, Gallery O/H, National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, THEARC, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, the Kennedy Center��s Millennium Stage, the Japanese Information and Culture Center, We Act Radio, New York University��s Abramson Auditorium, Embassies including France Japan, Italy, and Portugal, National Park Service, UDC/Jazz Alive, and other venues across DC. Artists and Jazz in the Hoods�� lineup announced in May!

Jazz ��n Families Fun Days (Preview Event, June 4,10am �C 5pm; June 5, 12pm �C 7pm ) In partnership with The Phillips Collection, DC JazzFest celebrates the synergy between jazz and the visual arts with free performances in The Phillips Collection��s Music Room and auditorium by more than a dozen regional artists and rising star ensembles. This free, family- friendly event will feature storytelling, unique meet-the- artist opportunities, an instrument petting zoo, art workshops, and more! Address: 1600 21 st Street, NW. Free

About DC Jazz Festival (DCJF): With more than 125 performances in over 40 venues across the city, the DC JazzFest is one of the largest music festivals in the country. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the DCJF has experienced spectacular year-by- year growth. As the fastest-growing jazz festival in the U.S., the DC JazzFest celebrates America��s unique original art form during this international event that attracts jazz lovers from around the world to the nation��s capital. The DCJF also presents year-round programs with performances featuring local, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists. The DCJF's mission is to promote music, particularly jazz, education programs and actively support community outreach to expand and diversify its audience of jazz enthusiasts. The 2016 DC JazzFest will take place June 10-19.

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For more information contact All About Jazz.