ISSUE 002
Honoring The Spirit of Creativity: A Review of the 2022 D.C. Jazz Festival By Majeedah Johnson Christian McBride Insight Straight performs at the 2022 DC Jazz Festival Photo Credit: Jati Lindsay
THE D.C. JAZZ FESTIVAL, HELD THIS PAST LABOR DAY WEEKEND, DELIVERED A REMARKABLE LINEUP OF LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES FOR FESTIVAL GOERS.
For its 18th year, the festival continued a legacy of honoring the spirit of creativity across multiple generations of innovators and visionaries; featuring some of the genre’s heavy hitters and esteemed newcomers. The return to in-person festival events – after two years of virtual offerings due to COVID-19 – attracted record-breaking numbers of attendance. The Wharf, where many of the events were held, offered a picturesque backdrop of activity on the marina and nearby restaurants and retail shops for a family-friendly weekend. From music performances to historical documentaries and ‘Meet the Artist’ sessions, the D.C. JazzFest provided for a weekend of community-building, artistic expression, and passion. The festival’s programs opened to a well-paced momentum of compelling events throughout the five days of gatherings. For its opening night at the notable Howard Theater, world-renowned and GRAMMY-award winning singer Kurt Elling performed heartfelt tunes; and Washingtonian juggernaut Christie Dashiell opened the concert, dazzling attendees with her captivating vocal performance.
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On Friday, September 2, Diane Reeves and Orrin Ev-
sages” - featuring Steve Wilson, Chris Potter, Ron Blake,
ans’ Captain Black Band performed to a sold-out audience
Thomas Enhco, Scott Colley, and EJ Strickland - Marc
at The Arena Stage. Regina Carter’s Gone in a Phrase of
Cary Trio, Dan Wilson Quartet, Donvonte McCoy, and Vox
Air and a concert by the same name was also featured
Sambou. Magnificent tunes from the Mambo Legends Or-
at the Arena Stage. The piece examines the loss of com-
chestra, led by John ‘Dandy’ Rodriguez, ignited the crowd
munity and businesses across the country, especially felt
to their feet with many attendees showing off their best
in communities with Black and brown people and fellow
dance moves. As former musicians of the Tito Puente Or-
neighbors who were disenfranchised. The post-panel dis-
chestra, the cohesiveness of these jazz masters rendered
cussion, led by Kymone Freeman, Co-Founder of We ACT
spirited tunes which were steeped in the history of mambo.
Radio, further engaged audience members on the impact of urban renewal.
On Sunday afternoon, among the crowd favorites,
Electrifying live performances at The Wharf on Satur-
Christian McBride & Inside Straight performed a series of
day, September 3rd included those from: Cindy Blackman
conversational jazz compositions featuring masterful solos
Santana, The Baylor Project, Chien Chien Lu, The Larnell
from Peter Martin (piano), Steve Wilson (alto and soprano
Lew Band featuring Joy Lapps, Giveton Gelin Quintet, and
sax), Carl Allen (drums) and bandstand leader and bassist
Heidi Martin Ensemble. On Sunday, September 4, festival
McBride as well as Baltimore’s own Warren Wolf on vibra-
goers enjoyed live sets by Emmet Cohen Trio, Dayramir
phone.
Gonzalez & Habana enTRANCE, Patrick Zimmerli’s “Mes09
