The District of Columbia’s premier jazz celebration returns for its 22nd year. DC JazzFest 2026 will take place September 2‑6, offering a mix of world‑class performances, emerging artists and community events across the city’s most recognizable neighborhoods.
Opening Night and Downtown Highlights
Opening night kicks off Wednesday, September 2, at Hamilton Live with the JazzDC All‑Stars Orchestra led by saxophonist Paul Carr, joined by Grammy‑nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell and NEA Jazz Master drummer‑vibraphonist Jason Marsalis.
Thursday’s downtown program runs from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Anthem Row, featuring genre‑bending group Butcher Brown, local saxophonist Marshall Keys & Soulful Path, and the Corcoran Holt Quintet. Additional performances include Dan Murray at the Kreeger Museum in the Palisades and trumpeter Joe Brotherton at St. Vincent Wine in Columbia Heights.
Organ Summit and Evening Shows
Friday, September 4, spotlights the Hammond B‑3 organ at the second annual Organ Summit held at Westminster Church, with Charles Covington, guest Mike LeDonne, drummer Lennie Robinson and guitarist Dave Manley. Vocalist Heidi Martin’s ensemble will perform at the historic Mr. Henry’s in Capitol Hill.
Grand Finale at The Wharf
The festival’s signature Labor Day weekend finale returns to The Wharf on Saturday and Sunday. Headliners include NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater, vocalist Kurt Elling with the Yellowjackets, guitarist Bill Frisell, tenor saxophonist Joshua Redman, and the Danilo Perez Trio’s “PanaMonk” project. Other notable acts are Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles, drummer‑bandleader Nate Smith, and pianist‑composer Michele Rosewoman.
Family‑friendly activities such as a scavenger hunt, DC JazzBops! and student showcases will run alongside the concerts. The closing night brings together NEA Jazz Master saxophonist Big Chief Donald Harrison with the legendary Chuck Brown Band.
Meet the Artist Programs and International Partnerships
Free Meet the Artist conversations will be held at Arena Stage throughout the weekend, giving audiences deeper insight into the music and its creators. The festival also highlights global collaborations, featuring Caribbean soca sounds from KES, Trinidad‑born Etienne Charles & Creole Soul, and a European Union partnership showcasing artists from Lithuania, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Portugal and Korea.
For a full schedule, ticket information and updates, visit the official site at www.dcjazzfest.org.
Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.
