The history of jazz in Washington is so rich that the sixth annual DC Jazz Festival promises 13 days of performances across multiple area venues. The festival starts Tuesday and runs through June 13. Performers include Roberta Flack, James Moody and Paquito D’Rivera.
The DC Jazz Festival begins Tuesday and runs through June 13. The festival features multiple performances at area venues. Ticket prices vary, and many events are free. For more information, visit dcjazzfest.org.
One major change to this year’s festival is in the name. For years, it was called the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, honoring the legendary musician who was born and raised in the District. However, DC Jazz Festival executive producer Charlie Fishman said he wanted to give the city itself its due.
“It doesn’t give you any location,” he said of the old name. “We felt it important to base the city. As great as [Ellington] was, people have to know D.C.”
Fishman is a Grammy Award-winning producer and was the personal manager and producer of legend Dizzy Gillespie. Fishman pretty much knows everyone in the jazz business, which is what contributes to the festival’s talent.
“I’m delighted, man,” he said during a recent phone interview about this year’s lineup. “I program it. Not only do I get great musicians, I get friends.”
One of those friends is Flack, who was a last-second replacement for Dianne Reeves, who had to cancel because of a family emergency. This will be a homecoming for Flack, who is from D.C., graduated from Howard University and was discovered at a local club. She performs June 12 at Lisner Auditorium.
“She did me a huge favor,” Fishman said. “We’re thrilled that Roberta is coming.”
Other highlights include Paquito D’Rivera and the Jelly Roll Morton Latin Tinge Project on June 13 at the Kennedy Center and Jazz in the ‘Hoods. In all, there are 80 performances during 13 days at more than 30 restaurants, clubs and other venues.
Because of financial constraints, the free Jazz on the Mall, which drew 80,000 people last year, is on hiatus this year. However, there are numerous ticketed and nonticketed (free) shows across the city during this year’s festival.
“We have certain undue qualities that no other city has,” Fishman said, citing the National Mall, embassies and world-class venues such as the Kennedy Center. “We have an international flavor.”
Fishman also pointed out that the festival is a good opportunity to highlight locals and other up-and-coming musicians, spearheaded by the event’s Rising Stars series.
“We want people to realize this is a jazz town,” Fishman said. “People don’t realize the legacy. The festival calls attention to that legacy.”
