12 Reasons To Attend DC JazzFest

Jazz of all genres and melodies will provide the soundtrack for the District as DC JazzFest celebrates its 20th anniversary this summer from August 28 to September 1. The five-day festival – which is one of the biggest in the country –  features an absolutely stacked lineup of top local and international jazz artists, with more than 80 concerts on multiple performance stages in neighborhoods around town. It culminates with the blockbuster main event over Labor Day weekend on August 31 through September 1 at The Wharf, with free and ticketed events across six stages, both indoors and outdoors.

Bringing together fans from diverse musical backgrounds, this festival is a testament to jazz’s enduring influence and its seamless blend with contemporary sounds. Whether you are a jazz aficionado, a music lover, or simply looking to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural scene of the nation’s capital, DC JazzFest is an event that should not be missed. After all, what better place to celebrate jazz than the birthplace of Duke Ellington? Get ready to celebrate all the ways in which it’s still thriving!

Click here for a more general guide to this year’s DC JazzFest.

Need some good reasons to check out this year’s blowout festival? We’ve got 12 of ‘em!

1. There actually is something for everyone.

With beats that broaden the jazz spectrum and beyond, attendees can move from stage to stage to hear blues, funk, soul, Latin, GoGo, and more. DC JazzFest is on a mission to both delight existing jazz fans and spread the love to new listeners of all generations. That means young and old, students and educators, parents and children—all are encouraged to come and check out a sampling of artists, from renowned masters to emerging talent.

2. It’s affordable – tickets start at $25!

Catch jazz legends and emerging stars in the local and international jazz scenes at the epic outdoor Wharf celebrations with tickets starting at $25. Even more budget-friendly, shows are free to watch from the Wharf Street promenade and on the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage where DC bassist Eliot Seppa, Baltimore teen sax sensations Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey, and “D.C.’s Best Trombonist” Shannon Gunn will perform.

3. You can upgrade to get that VIP experience.

Spend some coin and elevate your DC JazzFest outing with one-day ($275) or two-day ($500) VIP passes, which will get you seating in the first rows in the front of the stage at all shows on the piers, Union Stage, and Arena Stage. If you’re someone who appreciates access to A/C you’ll want to get in on this deal with exclusive access to the air-conditioned VIP Jazz Club overlooking the Potomac River. Did we mention there are also complimentary food and drinks? Yeah, that too.

4. It’s the perfect excuse to explore local jazz venues.

Showcasing a diverse range of artists, across an equally broad spectrum of venues, DC JazzFest invites you to discover the local haunts and enclaves that make this city great. The festival hosts a number of intimate performances in neighborhoods across the city, including saxophonist Paul Carr with the Junto Trio at Takoma Station, Barry Moton’s Billy Strayhorn project at Mr. Henry’s in Capitol Hill, and Sharón Clark  and the Chris Grasso Quartet at the Kreeger Museum on August 29.

5. Discover your new favorite jazz rising stars.

Score bragging points that you “knew them when” as four emerging jazz bands selected as the 2024 DCJazzPrix™ Finalists perform on August 31 at Union Stage. Hailing from across the country and as far away as South Korea, the bands will compete live for a chance to win a $15,000 grand prize and other perks. Last year’s winners, New Jazz Underground, will also show off their winning sound.

6. Get out and groove to an award-winning lineup.

Snag your golden ticket to the VIP Gold Party at the Anthem on August 30. Multi-GRAMMY award winnersSamara Joy and eclectic instrumentalist Jacob Collier headline the gala showcasing innovation and creative exploration in the evolution of jazz. Club Quarantine turntablist and hip-hop pioneer DJ D-Nice is also set to blend old-school tracks and dance classics with jazz hits on the ones and twos. Get tickets here.

7. See your hometown DMV jazz artist heroes in the spotlight.

Of course, some of the DMV’s finest artists will be gracing the DC JazzFest stages. DC is the home of jazz legends Shirley Horn and Duke Ellington, to name just a few, and its jazz scene is long established (and thriving). Drummer-bandleader Nasar Abadey and his band SUPERNOVA, pianist-bandleader Amy K. Bormet, and trumpeter-bandleader Michael Thomas Quintet, funk/jazz fusion group the JoGo Project and local faves Chuck Brown Band are among the local superstars that will be doing D.C. proud.

8. Experience how Capital sounds have a global reach firsthand.

Experience DC JazzFest’s wide range of cultural diversity—the lineup showcases an exceptional array of globally renowned masters and emerging artists from across the jazz spectrum and beyond (blues, swing, soul, Latin, and more). This year’s global lineup includes CIMAFUNK from Cuba, who played a pulse-raising set at Coachella, and Australia, Italy, Finland and France will also add to the international jazz flavor.

9. Witness the musicianship of jazz legends in your own backyard.

Stanley Clarke, a genre-defying bassist-composer who first burst onto the world stage with Chick Corea and the legendary Return to Forever, and multiple GRAMMY-award winning artist, drummer and producer Terri Lyne Carrington, who made history as the first woman to win a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, take the stage on August 31. Ron Carter, the Guinness World Records’ certified most recorded bassist in the history of recorded music, will also bring his band to the DC JazzFest stage on September 1.

10. Get up close and personal—meet the artists.

DC JazzFest offers numerous exclusive opportunities for close-up meet-and-greet experiences with festival artists. The “Meet the Artist” stage brings artists down off the stage for lively Q&A sessions with the public throughout the festival.

11. Make a day (or night) of it with food, live jazz, and amazing views.

The Wharf has some of the best restaurants in DC with amazing waterfront views all in one place, and many have outdoor seating so you can continue to enjoy DC JazzFest performances. Get reservations for fine dining, rooftop bars, and cozy cafes to enjoy delicious dining before, after, or in between all the acts. Look for stands along Water Street that serve beer, wine, and spirits, with proceeds going toward DC JazzFest programs.

12. Get exclusive DC Jazzfest rewards as a Fraylife+ member!

As an official partner of DC JazzFest, Fraylife+ Members enjoy complimentary tickets to select DC JazzFest events. Make other people’s FOMO just another day in the life, and experience DC JazzFest in style. Click to learn more about Fraylife+ Membership Rewards and sign up to stop overspending and start experiencing.

The DC Jazz Festival takes place from August 28 -September 1, 2024. Visit the festival website for full schedule and ticketing information.

Paige Muller