Did you know DC Jazz Fest is more than a music festival? Throughout the year we also provide free-of-charge and affordable jazz education programs to students of all ages, teachers, and families, especially in underserved communities.
Recently, DC public school students got to experience the global power of jazz through an unforgettable International Rhythms of Jazz field trip featuring Cuban-born violinist, vocalist, and composer @yiliancanizares and her trio.
During each 75-minute session, students and educators explored the rich connections between jazz, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and DC’s own go-go music tradition — discovering how improvisation, blues, sampling, signifying, and swagger unite these powerful musical forms.
We’re proud to continue making jazz education accessible, engaging, and culturally connected for the next generation of artists and music lovers.
This program was made possible by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, with additional support from the Galena-Yorktown Foundation, the Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Leonard and Elaine Silverstein Family Foundation, and the Venable Foundation.
@jogoprojectofficial brought the GoGo swing at last week's Jazz@Met concert and the audience got to participate too.
Come experience free live music outdoors during Jazz @ Met in National Landing from 5-7PM on select Thursdays: May 21, June 4 & June 18
Next up, come see @josephbrotherton channel the spirit of New Orleans with his band on Thursday, May 21 from 5-7PM!
Jazz @ Met is presented by DC Jazz Festival and @NationalLanding , sponsored by Amazon.
We hope to see you there!
Jazz is back at Metropolitan Park!
Join us for a FREE outdoor concert series co-presented by DC Jazz Festival and National Landing BID, bringing the sounds of Go-Go, bossa nova, and more to National Landing this spring and summer.
📍 Metropolitan Park
🕔 5–7 PM
📅 Select Thursdays: May 21, June 4 & June 18
Bring your friends, grab a spot on the lawn, and celebrate the vibrant rhythms that connect our communities all season long.
@nationallanding
#DC250 and #DCJazzFest #Only1DC
From intricate strings to pulsing basslines and expressive solos, from breakout artists to global icons—DC JazzFest is where it all comes together. Every instrument, every performance, every note tells a story.
Take a look back at the energy of last year—and get ready for what’s next.
Tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss your moment. Get your tickets at the link in bio.
DC Jazz Festival is more than a festival — it’s a year-round investment in the future of jazz education.
Here are selected moments from the Sitar Master Class, “Piano as a Secondary Instrument,” featuring Janelle Gill, where students were deeply engaged and responded thoughtfully to her guidance, creativity, and artistic challenges.
Through programs like these, we’re committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians, creating access to arts education, and keeping the spirit of jazz alive in classrooms across DC.
#DC250 and #DCJazzFest #Only1DC
Happy Friday!
We’ve added more incredible artists to the 2026 DC JazzFest lineup — and trust us, you’re going to want to be there.
From hometown favorites to internationally celebrated performers, this year’s festival is shaping up to be unforgettable.
Who are you most excited to see this year?
#DC250 and #DCJazzFest #Only1DC
Scatting takes center stage—where the voice leads the rhythm and every note feels alive.
It’s spontaneous, it’s expressive, and it’s a reminder that jazz is always in the moment.
Don’t miss your chance to experience it for yourself.
Get your tickets at the link in bio and experience the sound firsthand.
With so much conversation around AI in music right now, one question keeps coming up: how do you know what you’re actually hearing?
Some artists aren’t just asking that—they’re building answers.
“Played by Humans” is a new tool designed to help identify AI-generated audio. And here’s the twist: it uses the same kind of technology behind generative AI, but flips it to protect artists and listeners.
Because while tech can support creativity and open doors, it can’t replace what makes music matter—lived experience, intention, craft, and soul.
That’s especially true in jazz, where everything happens in real time. Improvisation. Collaboration. Human connection.
Curious how artists are navigating this moment? Read the full post by Jason Toney now by visiting link in bio.
With so much conversation around AI in music right now, one question keeps coming up: how do you know what you’re actually hearing is real?
Some artists aren’t just asking that—they’re building answers.
“Played by Humans” is a new tool designed to help identify AI-generated audio. And here’s the twist: it uses the same kind of technology behind generative AI, but flips it to protect artists and listeners.
Because while tech can support creativity and open doors, it can’t replace what makes music matter—lived experience, intention, craft, and soul.
That’s especially true in jazz, where everything happens in real time. Improvisation. Collaboration. Human connection.
Curious how artists are navigating this moment? Read the full post by Jason Toney now at the link in our bio.
Experience free live music outdoors during Jazz @ Met in National Landing. 🎷
➡️ 5-7PM on select Thursdays: May 7 & May 21, June 4 & June 18
While you listen, take part in artist-led activities curated by @mocaarlington and enjoy the onsite food and drink options:
🌮 Tacos, churros, tres leches and more from @taqueriaxochi
🍨 Craveworthy homemade ice cream from @tobysicecream
🍹Free samples of NA beverages from @mocktailclub to keep you hydrated
🧺 Pack a picnic from surrounding Met Park businesses including @peruvianbrothers , @makersunion , @southblock , @_mamannyc_ , and @goodcodough
🔗 Link in bio for more.
Jazz @ Met is presented by DC Jazz Festival and National Landing BID, sponsored by Amazon.
DC JazzFest isn’t just about listening—it’s about participating.
Step into the energy of unforgettable dance parties led by renowned DJs.
Join us Labor Day Weekend and be part of the celebration.
Tickets at the link in bio.
From DC to the world, jazz speaks every language.
Expect moments that move you, surprise you, and remind you that jazz has no borders—only connections. Like with this performance by saxophonist @louisfouche
Join us as we celebrate a legacy and the worldwide spirit of jazz. Get your tickets at the link in bio.
