It would be difficult, if not nearly impossible, to find a more staunchly devoted jazz promoter of venues and artists than Charles Fishman, DC Jazz Festival executive producer. Excitement and energy propels every move he makes in preparation for the annual event taking place in more than 45 restaurants, theaters, hotels, galleries and clubs all over town starting June 1. “I was personal manager to Dizzy Gillespie and we traveled all over the world to just about every major festival on every continent,” he noted. “But, I’ve never seen any festival that has such an expensive [budget] here to promote jazz all over our city.”
Throughout the 13-day event, the major artist lineup includes Grammy-award winner Bobby McFerrin, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Latin jazz great, Eddie Palmieri and pianist Cyrus Chestnut. They will perform at the Kennedy Center, Warner Theatre and — in all glory — on the National Mall.
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Local artists will also have their day in the sun as part of the Jazz in the Hoods series.
“I have discovered an incredible treasure trove of jazz artists in this city,” Fishman continued. “Our objective is to give them further exposure, as well as the venues that expose them.”
“Jazz ‘n Families Fun Days is a unique program open to people of all ages and backgrounds,” Fishman pointed out of the very popular free weekend-long event, in partnership with the Phillips Collection. Fun-filled activities celebrate the synergy between jazz and the visual arts. The weekend features some of the finest jazz musicians from around the region. Fun-filled activities for kids include story telling, hands-on art workshops, and an instrument petting zoo.
“We are the only jazz festival in the world that is able to present a free day of jazz in one of the most aesthetically beautiful places in Washington — the National Mall,” said Fishman, adding, “This is a great opportunity to be exposed to the international flavor of jazz.”
That juicy flavor is in abundance at the Kennedy Center’s presentation of “A Night in Treme: The Musical Majesty of New Orleans.” Artists from the HBO miniseries, Treme will perform what they do best — bona fide jazz. These players include Wendell Pierce, the Rebirth Jazz Band and Big Sam Williams showcasing the real deal in New Orleans music and culture.
