Due to limited capacity at some venues, it is necessary to register to attend some events. Click the “Registration required for this Event” link to do so.
| Start Time | Title | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00am |
Opening CeremonyUNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, UN FAO Goodwill Ambassador Dee Dee Bridgewater Performance by students from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater |
DuPont CircleIntersection of Massachusetts Avenue NW and Connecticut Avenue NW |
| 11:00am |
Panel Discussion: Jazz & WomenDee Dee Bridgewater, Dianne Reeves, Terri Lyne Carrington. Conversation on Jazz and Women highlighting women’s contributions to jazz since its inception, a rich legacy of achievements and how the role of female artists have inspired calls for social change. Legendary jazz artists Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Reeves and Terri Lynn Carrington explore the role of women in jazz: past, present and future with moderator Associated Press journalist Charlie Gans. Key topics include the struggle for recognition and legitimacy of female jazz artists, their impact and legacy, and thoughts on the future of jazz. |
National Museum of Women in the Arts1250 New York Ave NW |
Performance: Dupont Brass |
So Others Might Eat(S.O.M.E. clients only) |
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Film Screening: Round Midnight (2h 30min)Inside the Blue Note nightclub one night in 1959 Paris, an aged, ailing jazzman coaxes an eloquent wail from his tenor sax. Outside, a young Parisian too broke to buy a glass of wine strains to hear those notes. Soon they will form a friendship that sparks a final burst of genius in the fading musician. Set to Herbie Hancock’s superb Academy Award winning Best Original Score, Round Midnight is an elegant ode to bebop – the technically demanding jazz of the postwar era – and to the expatriate black Americans who created, nurtured and lived it. Soulfully directed by Bertrand Tavernier, the film showcases tenor sax great Dexter Gordon in a remarkable Oscar-nominated performance. His walk a proud stumble, his speech as rhythmic and intricate as his music, Gordon is a shambling, shaggy ruin of greatness and Round Midnight is an awesome musical journey. *Special Photography Exhibition of Adolf Sax, the inventor of the Saxophone, presented by the Embassy of Belgium at THEARC |
THEARC1901 Mississippi Ave SE |
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Performances (11:00am–8:00pm)11:00am — Aleksandra Denda Group presented by LeitmotivArts and the Embassy of Serbia (Aleksandra Denda – vocal, Christian Li – piano, Shubh Saran – guitar, Mark Minoogian – bass, Milos Branisavljevic – drums, Moez Dawad- percussion)
12:00pm — Crush Funk Brass 1:00pm — Woodrow Wilson High School Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz Ensemble 2:00pm — Davey Yarborough Quintet featuring Esther Williams 3:00pm — José André Jazz Trio in partnership with the Embassy of Bolivia, with special appearance by Marcus Miller 3:25pm — The Lucky So & So’s 4:00pm — Nasar Abadey Quartet 5:00pm — Art Sherrod, Jr. 6:00pm — Collaboration 7:00pm — Dupont Brass |
DuPont CircleIntersection of Massachusetts Avenue NW and Connecticut Avenue NW |
|
U Street Walking Jazz TourThe 2-hour walking tour led by historian Bernard Demczuk will start at the front revolving doors of the Reeves Center at 14th and U, NW. This is the site of “Ground Zero” for the April 4, 1968 Black Rebellion as a result of Dr. King’s assassination. The tour will end at 1:00pm at The Howard Theatre, 7th & T., NW. Please bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for the weather. |
Frank D. Reeves Center of Municipal Affairs2000 14th St NW |
|
Film Screening: Keep On Keepin’ On (1h 24m)
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National Museum of American History, Smithsonian InstitutionIn partnership with the Smithsonian, celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month Warner Bros. Theater Registration required for this Event » Please plan on arriving at least 30 minutes in advance of your program to allow for security screening at museum. |
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Performance (11:00am–4:00pm):11:00am — Levine Music
12:00pm — Thelonious Monk Institute Performing Arts High School Quintet 1:00pm — The Jazz Academy Orchestra 2:00pm — Bowie State University 3:00pm — Virginia Music Adventures 4:00pm — Blues Alley Youth Orchestra with guest Marcus Miller |
National Sylvan TheaterWashington Memorial Drwy SW |
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Jazz Kids Show: Rochelle Rice’s “Da Capo!”Petworth Jazz Project presents Rochelle Rice’s “Da Capo!” a children’s performance and interactive class that will lead them on a journey through the life and music of latin jazz legend Tito Puente. |
Petworth Recreation Center801 Taylor St NW |
|
Performance: Chucho Valdés |
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library901 G St. NW |
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Duke Ellington’s Birthday Party: Vinyl, Film Screening, Pop-up Performances, and Discussion with Music Documentarian (10:00am — 11:00pm)
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Songbyrd2477 18th Street NW Presented by Black Broadway on U Street |
|
| 12:00pm |
Metro DC Performances (12:00pm–3:00pm)Jamal Brown and Herman Burney |
Eastern Market Station, Georgia Ave./Petworth Station, Shaw/Howard Station, Tenleytown Station |
Performance: Dupont Brass |
So Others Might Eat(S.O.M.E. clients only) |
|
3rd Annual Fine Lines Paint Jam (12:00pm–7:00pm)Presented by Words Beats & Life A 900-ft. long canvas divided between 100 artists from around the country amid a backdrop of live music, free arts tutorials, galleries, local arts organizations, food trucks, arts exhibitions, & photo competition with a prize of $500 and the cover of WBL’s first magazine |
Words, Beats & Life514-680 Rhode Island Ave NE |
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Performance: The Annandale Jazz AmbassadorsGeorgetown University Jazz Festival presents The Annandale Jazz Ambassadors of Virginia Music Adventures
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Copley LawnGeorgetown University campus, |
|
Performance: Colin Chambers |
Howard University HospitalDialysis Outpatient Center |
|
SGI-USA Washington DC Arts Department Spring MeetingExplore Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter’s “Open Letter to the Next Generation of Artists,” through performances, readings, experiences & open dialogue. SGI-USA is a lay Buddhist network building a better world through promotion of peace, culture and education. ALL ARTISTS, aspiring artists welcome!
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SGI-USA Washington DC Culture Center3417 Massachusetts Ave. NW |
|
| 1:00pm |
Performance: Dianne Reeves with Nasar Abadey, Cyrus Chestnut, James King |
Thrive DC(Thrive clients only) |
Performances (1:00pm–3:00pm)1:10pm — Janelle Gill Trio
2:00pm — Michael Bowie and Sine Qua Non 2:50pm — Sharón Clark Trio with Bobby Watson |
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian InstitutionIn partnership with the Smithsonian, celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month Warner Bros. Theater Registration required for this Event » Please plan on arriving at least 30 minutes in advance of your program to allow for security screening at museum. |
|
Workshop On Wes Montgomery |
Westminster Presbyterian Church400 I St SW |
|
Performance: Georgetown University Jazz EnsembleGeorgetown University Jazz Festival presents Georgetown University Jazz Ensemble
|
Copley LawnGeorgetown University campus, |
|
| 2:00pm |
Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz presents “Jazz Expressions: Vocals & Dance”Featuring Dee Dee Bridgewater, Al Jarreau, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Septet
|
The Kennedy Center2700 F St NW |
Performance: Dave Kline BandGeorgetown University Jazz Festival presents Dave Kline Band.
|
Copley LawnGeorgetown University campus, |
|
| 2:30pm |
Mixology in the Jazz Age: Chantal TsengLearn about prohibition and the stories behind the beverages, sip on the delicious creations while listening to jazz and discussing the poets, novelists and musicians of the time. |
Petworth Citizen & Reading Room829 Upshur St NW |
| 3:00pm |
InformanceFeaturing Lisa Henry, Antonio Hart, Thelonious Monk Institute Performing Arts High School Quintet
|
THEARC1901 Mississippi Ave SE |
Performance: Collaboration |
Mayfair Mansions Community Center3744 Hayes St NE |
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Performance: The Afro Bop AllianceGeorgetown University Jazz Festival presents The Afro Bop Alliance
|
Copley LawnGeorgetown University campus, |
|
| 3:30pm |
Panel Discussion: Jazz, Human Rights, and Cultural DiplomacyUNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, Former Minister of Justice of France Christiane Taubira, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock, South African trumpet legend Hugh Masekela This round table discussion will focus on the role of jazz and jazz artists during the human rights struggles and civil rights movements throughout history across the world – the Cold War, the Apartheid Regime, the struggle in Eastern Europe for freedom and democracy. Jazz is founded on the same ideals of these movements and mirrors its fundamental principles – equality, democracy and freedom – with Panelists will discuss their own unique take on the link between jazz and human rights, and in the context of an internationally celebrated Jazz Day, how this message of activism and conviction can teach others – especially today’s youth – about the strength of culture and the hope for peace and equality. |
National Museum of American History, Smithsonian InstitutionIn partnership with the Smithsonian, celebrating Jazz Appreciation Month Warner Bros. Theater Registration required for this Event » Please plan on arriving at least 30 minutes in advance of your program to allow for security screening at museum. |
| 4:00pm |
Performance: Crush Funk Brass |
Martha’s Table2114 14th St NW |
Q&A Discussion With Christian McBride |
Serendipity Jazz Coffeehouse3301 12th St NE |
|
Performance: Sebastian Chames QuartetSPAIN arts & culture, DC Jazz Festival and Events DC celebrate International Jazz Day with the Fishman Artist Embassy Series. Meet the Artist at 3:00PM prior to the performance. Seating is limited and RSVP is required. |
Former Residence of the Ambassadors of Spain2801 16th St NW |
|
Afternoon Jazz Jam in celebration of International Jazz Day (Until 7:00pm)
|
Jazz and Cultural Society2813 12th St NE |
|
| 5:00pm |
Performance: UDC Jazztet featuring Jordan DixonJazz @VN Celebrates International Jazz Day UDC’s JAZZAlive and DC Jazz Festival join Van Ness Main Street and the Acacia Bistro & Wine Bar to celebrate International Jazz Day and kick-off Jazz at VN with the UDC JAZZtet, featuring soulful tenor saxophonist Jordon Dixon. |
Acacia Bistro & Wine Bar4340 Connecticut Ave NW |
American Museum of Peace 2016 International Jazz Day Concert with the George Washington Jazz Orchestra (5:00pm — 7:00pm) |
Thomas Jefferson National Memorial701 E Basin Dr SW |
|
| 5:30pm |
Performance: Crush Funk Brass |
Martha’s Table Food Truck2nd & H St NW |
| 6:00pm |
Jazz Night at Chez Billy |
Chez Billy3815 Georgia Ave NW |
Offlines Project featuring Yinon Muallem & Guy MintusFor International Jazz Day, Offlines Project featuring Yinon Muallem & Guy Mintus presents a border-defying duet that marries influences from Turkish makam to Indian rhythms, Jewish melodies, and originals treated through the lens of jazz improvisation
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Kennedy Center, Millenium Stage2700 F St NW |
|
| 7:00pm |
Performance: Todd Marcus QuintetCapital Fringe and Tony Haywood present Todd Marcus Quartet at the Capital Fringe courtyard.
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Capital Fringe courtyard1358 Florida Ave NE |
| 8:00pm |
International Jazz Day All-Star Global Concert Network Special |
ABC 7 WJLA: Washington, DC wjla.com |
Performance: Buster WilliamsBuster Williams “Something More” with RENEE ROSNES & JEFF “TAIN” WATTS |
Blues Alley1073 Wisconsin Ave NW |
|
Performance: Maija Rejman“Influencia do Jazz” with vocalist Maija Rejman, keyboardist Wayne Wilentz, bassist David Jernigan, drummer Jim West, and trombonist Reginald Cyntje. American and Brazilian jazz from 8:00-11:00PM. Herb Scott will follow with a jam session at 11:00PM. |
Mr. Henry’s601 Pennsylvania Ave SE |
|
| 9:00pm |
Performance: Nicole Saphos QuartetPaul Carr (sax), Dave Sanders (guitar), Ele Rubenstein (drums) and Nicole Saphos (bass/vocals). |
Twins Jazz1344 U St NW |
For Pop-Up Performances all over DC with Herb Scott and Friends: Follow @intljazzday on Twitter
View/download the International Jazz Day Washington DC Events Brochure (PDF)
Event Map
A Letter from Herbie Hancock and UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova
Dear Friends,
It is an honor to invite you to the 5th Annual International Jazz Day celebrations in Washington, D.C. This day was adopted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization in 2012 to promote jazz music and culture as a tool to inspire peaceful cooperation and partnership among communities around the globe.
This day is an extraordinary demonstration of the power of jazz to promote world peace, stimulate intercultural dialogue and above all, bring people together. On April 30, people in 195 countries on every single continent will be demonstrating their commitment to the unifying power of music.
We are partnering with teachers, musicians, students, historians, and community leaders at schools, universities, libraries, art venues, community centers, hospitals, and shelters. All over the world, the streets will be alive with the sounds of jazz – of freedom – and millions of people will learn about its rich history; its ethical and philosophical foundations; and its inherent message of acceptance and respect. Our hope is that this day will inspire people all over the world to listen to one another and cooperate in a spirit of peace.
Many thanks to Washington, D.C. for serving as the Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2016 and for featuring Jazz Day programs in every single Ward.
Thank you for your support and Happy International Jazz Day!
Irina Bokova
UNESCO Director-General
Herbie Hancock
UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
International Jazz Day Co-Chair
