DC JazzFest 2025 Announces Full Lineup
Citywide Celebration of Jazz Across the District
From August 27 – 31, DC jazz takover with five days of world-class shows,
waterfront and downtown concerts, and dynamic community events
WASHINGTON, DC – August 21, 2025 – The DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is proud to announce the full lineup of the celebrated DC JazzFest, set to take over Washington, DC from August 27 – 31. This year’s festivities will showcase an extraordinary array of artistry, featuring NEA Jazz Masters, GRAMMY winners, emerging stars, the region’s finest, and poll-topping virtuosos on indoor and outdoor stages across DC’s most iconic neighborhoods.
The Festival will culminate in a two-day grand finale, DC JazzFest at The Wharf, over Labor Day weekend along the scenic Potomac Riverfront, with additional performances indoors at the beautiful Arena Stage. For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit: www.dcjazzfest.org.
In addition to world-class concerts, DC JazzFest will host its acclaimed Meet the Artist programs at Arena Stage. These free, in-depth conversations—featuring interviews, panel discussions, and topical dialogues—offer audiences unique opportunities to connect with DC JazzFest artists beyond the bandstand. The complete Meet the Artist schedule will be announced soon.
DC JazzFest Downtown kicks off with performances at Downtown at EatonDC and Hamilton Live Opening Night, and in grand style with a free, all-day DowntownDC at Anthem Row celebration beginning with a lively New Orleans-style second line parade led by the funk powerhouse Brass-A-Holics. The groove continues with Benjie Porecki, followed by the all-female go-go/R&B ensemble Be’la Dona, rising star Langston Hughes II, and a return by Brass-A-Holics to close out the show. Hamilton Live presents the JazzDC All-Star Orchestra featuring Christie Dashiell, Brandee Younger, and Paul Carr. Eaton DC will host Heidi Martin, Reggie Bowens, and a free screening of the critically acclaimed jazz-infused documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat.
DC JazzFest at The Wharf will present a rich tapestry of jazz and beyond, bringing the finest in jazz artistry to the nation’s capital. Featured headliners include Marcus Miller, Lalah Hathaway, NEA Jazz Masters Ron Carter, Branford Marsalis, and Gary Bartz, as well as a special tribute to Latin jazz icon Eddie Palmieri. The legendary centenarian saxophonist Marshall Allen will appear with the Sun Ra Arkestra. Bassist-bandleader Corcoran Holt, DCJF’s Artist-in-Residence, will lead a powerhouse supergroup featuring George Cables, Steve Turre, Sean Jones, Billy Harper, and Jeff “Tain” Watts.
Vocal artistry will be on full display with Lalah Hathaway gracing The Anthem stage, while Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jean Baylor of The Baylor Project, Allan Harris, Jazzmeia Horn, GRAMMY nominee Christie Dashiell, and classic jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin (in collaboration with tenor saxophonist Paul Carr) will perform at The Wharf and Arena Stage. Local favorite Akua Allrich & The Tribe will also light up the stage.
Guitar icon John Scofield will bring his signature sound to The Wharf, with piano virtuoso Emmet Cohen continuing the legacy of the jazz piano trio tradition. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold will explore the intersection of modern jazz and hip-hop, while keyboardist Matthew Whitaker ignites The Anthem stage. The 2025 DCJazzPrix-winning quartet, led by robust Philly tenor man Hiruy Tirfe, will also make a much-anticipated appearance.
DC JazzFest will showcase the global reach of jazz with performances by Italian pianist Dado Moroni, Japanese pianist Makoto Ozone, Swiss harmonica maestro Grégoire Maret, and South Korean drummer Jongkuk Kim.
The vibrant DMV jazz community will be well-represented, with performances by The String Queens, Birckhead, Tony Martucci’s Earth Tones, Eric Byrd (celebrating his new album release), Todd Marcus Quartet, and Lyle Link. An organ summit with Charles Covington on Hammond B-3 organ takes place at Westminster Church. The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage series will offer free evening shows by Herb Scott, Leigh Pilzer’s StarTet, and Joshua Bayer’s Quintet. Additional citywide concerts will include vocalist Imani-Grace Cooper at The Kreeger Museum, Elijah Easton at Takoma Station, Justin Mendez at Canal Park, multi-reedist Marty Ehrlich leading his trio at Palisades Hub, and tribute to Thomas Sayers Ellis at We Act Radio. Youth jazz ensembles will showcase their talents on The Wharf’s Education Stages throughout the weekend.
The highly anticipated DCJazzPrix Finals return to Union Stage on Saturday, August 30. Four finalists—Friendship (New York, NY), Dave Meder (New York, NY), The Smoogies (Delray Beach, FL), and Jose Luiz Martins (São Paulo, Brazil)—will compete for a coveted $15,000 prize. Get there early; seats fill up quickly!
FULL SCHEDULE
DAY ONE – August 27:
- DC JazzFest Opening Night featuring JazzDC All-Star Orchestra directed by Allyn Johnson with special guests Christie Dashiell, Brandee Younger, and Paul Carr at The Hamilton Live
- Marty Ehrlich Trio at Palisades Hub
- DC JazzFest at EatonDC with film Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat, Heidi Martin & Reggie Bowens
- Joshua Bayer at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
- Jazz Meets Poetry: A Tribute to Thomas Sayers Ellis featuring Tyler Leak & Freeform with special guest poet Kenny Carroll at We Act Radio
DAY TWO – August 28:
- Cécile McLorin Salvant at Arena Stage
- DC JazzFest Downtown at Anthem Row with The Brass-A-Holics, Benjie Porecki, Be’La Dona & Langston Hughes II
- Elijah Easton at Takoma Station
- Imani-Grace Cooper at Kreeger Museum
- Leigh Pilzer Quintet at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
DAY THREE – August 29:
- Lalah Hathaway & Matthew Whitaker at The Anthem
- Organ Summit feat. Charles Covington, Allyn Johnson, Steve Wilson, Lennie Robinson, & Dave Manley at Westminster Church
- Herb Scott at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage
- Justin Mendez at Canal Park
DAY FOUR – August 30:
- DC Jazz Fest at The Wharf: Branford Marsalis Quartet, Marcus Miller, Sun Ra Arkestra, Christie Dashiell, The Baylor Project, Birckhead, The Strings Queens, Jahari Stampley Family Trio, Tony Martucci Earth Tones, and Eric Byrd Trio
- JazzDC All-Star Orchestra with special guest Steve Wilson at Arena Stage
- Akua Allrich & the Tribe, Next Jazz Legacy, Corcoran Holt Quintet & Jam at Union Stage
- DC JazzPrix Finals at Union Stage with finalists Jose Luis Martins, Dave Meder New American Hymnal Quartet, and The Smoogies at Union Stage
DAY FIVE – August 31:
- DC Jazz Fest at The Wharf: Eddie Palmieri Tribute, John Scofield Trio, Corcoran Holt Supergroup feat. George Cables, Steve Turre, Sean Jones, Billy Harper and Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, Emmet Cohen Trio, Keyon Harrold, Gary Bartz Ntu Troop, Jongkuk Kim, Hiruy Tirfe Quartet, Makoto Ozone & Gregoire Maret, Allan Harris, Jazzmeia Horn Quartet
- Ron Carter Quartet, Paul Carr & Vanessa Rubin, Dado Moroni Trio, Todd Marcus at Arena Stage
For more information, full schedule updates, and tickets, visit www.dcjazzfest.org.
For the full lineup, visit: DC JazzFest Lineup.
For the daily schedule, visit: DC JazzFest Daily Schedule.
For frequently asked questions about DC JazzFest at The Wharf, visit: DC JazzFest at The Wharf FAQ
Recognized as the region’s largest and most distinctive music festival, the DC JazzFest reaches nearly 100,000 visitors of all ages to enjoy great music and explore DC’s environs each year.
For more information about the 2025 21st annual DC JazzFest, including concert updates and ticketing information, stay connected to the DC Jazz Festival at dcjazzfest.org.
For press inquiries, please contact Lydia Liebman, DCJF publicist, at lydia@lydialiebmanpromotions.com.
Learn more about the DC Jazz Festival and all of our programs by visiting www.dcjazzfest.org.
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DCJF Media Contact:
Lydia Liebman, DCJF Publicist
lydia@lydialiebmanpromotions.com, 570.730.5279
DCJF Contacts:
Sunny Sumter, CEO/Executive Producer
sunnysumter@dcjazzfest.org
Josh Brown, Marketing and Communications Associate
josh@dcjazzfest.org
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