Official Site of the
31st Annual Capital Jazz Fest
The jazz festival with soul!
June 7-9, 2024
Capital Jazz Fest 2024!
Thanks to everyone who attended our 31st annual Capital Jazz Fest, held June 7-9, 2024. We had three days of beautiful weather and amazing jazz and soul music! Mark your calendar for next year’s festival, to be held June 6-8, 2025!
Held each year during Black Music Month since 1993, the Capital Jazz Fest is one of the longest running festivals in the DMV and one of the premier black music events in the country, featuring over 30 acts over three days. In-between musical sets, enjoy the juried craft vendors at the Festival Marketplace, culinary treats at the food courts, and interactive Q&A sessions with the artists.
CLICK HERE FOR THE 2024 TALENT LINEUP
CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL 2024 PROGRAM BOOK
Check out the highlight video from the 2024 festival!
2024 Festival Highlights
- The Fest kicks off with our annual Friday Night Soul! concert, this year featuring Grammy-winners Anthony Hamilton and Chrisette Michele, plus “The Lioness”, soul singer Teedra Moses!
- Two-time Grammy-winner Gregory Porter will be headlining the Saturday show on the Pavilion Stage. Following his performance on Saturday night, he’ll be doing a Q&A session at Club 9:32, located near the West Food Court on the festival grounds. The session is free and open to all fest-goers!
- Grammy and Emmy-winning singer Andra Day will be performing at the festival for the very first time! Check out her brand new album Cassandra, available now! She’ll also be doing a live Q&A session at Club 9:32 following her performance on Sunday night.
- Other acts on the bill include Kem, Babyface, Jodeci, Joss Stone, El DeBarge, Lalah Hathaway, and many more!
- Come Get to This: A Tribute to Marvin Gaye, on the Pavilion Stage on Sunday, featuring several special surprise musical guests!
- Grammy-nominated duo Black Violin, who first performed at our festival five years ago, returns this year to present their distinctive sound which blends string arrangements with hip-hop beats. Complete with their own DJ and drummer, their sound can best be described as a fusion of classical, jazz, hip-hop, and funk.
- Louie Vega & The Elements of Life will be making a rare live appearance at this year’s festival. Conducted by legendary DJ/producer “Little Louie” Vega, the jazz/funk/dance/soul ensemble will feature lead vocals by Josh Milan and Cindy Mizelle. If you’re a fan of bands like Incognito and The Brand New Heavies, you are in for a treat with The Elements of Life!
- Legendary jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra, who performed at our very first festival in 1993, returns to the Fest this year in celebration of their 50th anniversary!
- Classic soul from legendary band Switch, known for their quiet storm classics such as “There’ll Never Be”, “I Wanna Be Closer”, and “I Call Your Name”. Plus, The Jones Girls featuring Shirley Jones will be performing their hits, including “Nights Over Egypt”, “Dance Turned Into A Romance”, “I Just Love The Man”, and many more.
- Performing at the Fest for the first time this year will be Grammy-winning trumpeter Keyon Harrold, with special guest vocalist Stout. Also making first-time appearances will be saxophonist/vocalist Braxton Cook, soul/jazz singer Lori Williams, Grammy-nominated trumpeter Theo Croker, and saxophonist/vocalist Marqueal Jordan, plus legendary 90s R&B/dance diva CeCe Peniston.
- The Chuck Brown Band carries on the legacy of the late go-go legend as they return to the festival and share the stage with hip-hop icon Doug E. Fresh!
- Plus many more artists! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LINEUP
Group Sales
If you have a group of 12 or more persons who will be attending this year’s festival on the same day, you’re eligible to purchase group tickets and have the per-ticket service charges waived. Great for friends, family members, colleagues, organization members, or other groups who will be attending the festival together. Available only through April 26, 2024. For more info, visit our GROUP & VIP TICKET INFO PAGE.
What is the Capital Jazz Fest?
Each year in June, tens of thousands of music lovers from throughout the country flock to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to attend “the jazz festival with soul”: The Capital Jazz Fest. Started in 1993, this outdoor festival has become the place to be on the first full weekend of June! A place to people-watch, eat, drink, shop, mingle, relax, soak in the rays, make new friends, and of course hear some of the coolest music on the planet!
Over the past 30+ years, the festival has showcased a “Who’s Who” of musical talent including everyone from Al Jarreau, Grover Washington, Jr., Nancy Wilson, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Isaac Hayes, Herbie Hancock, Chuck Brown, George Duke, Smokey Robinson, and Natalie Cole to Erykah Badu, Snarky Puppy, Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Common, John Legend, Robert Glasper, Mary Mary, and Raphael Saadiq.
See what festival patrons are saying about the Capital Jazz Fest…
our Capital Jazz TV channel at www.capitaljazz.tv.