![]() The series brought such emerging talents as harpist Brandee Younger, singer Christie Dashiell, trumpeter Brian Settles, trombonist Reginald Cyntje and guitarist Mary Halvorson. On the upside, the festival saw its Capitalbop DC Loft Jazz series tightened, with a sharper programming focus and better venues. This year’s edition saw the loss of one of its partnership with the Hamilton nightclub and restaurant, which last year boasted major headlining acts for eight days. He reached back to old classics such as “Bright Size Life,” “Phase Dance” and “American Garage,” then shuffled them inside a program that included more recent gems such as “Kin” and “Adagia.” The fest presented singer and songwriter Debora Petrina at the Italian Cultural Center pianist Chano Dominguez at the former residence of the ambassador of Spain and saxophonist Jane Bunnett and her all-female band of Afro-Cuban musicians Maqueque at the 6th and I Street Synagogue.Īs before, the DC Jazz Festival inhabited many other performance spaces and neighborhoods throughout the city, including the Howard Theater, where Lalah Hathaway kicked off the soiree, and the Kennedy Center, where Pat Metheny made his debut at both the festival and the iconic venue by treating the audience to an extravagant two-hour-plus reexamination of his oeuvre. The city’s cosmopolitan makeup wasn’t ignored. And it wisely programmed its lineup with the city’s rhythmic pulse in mind, supplying healthy doses of top-shelf straightahead jazz and jazz/soul/hip-hop hybrids. Under the guidance of artistic director Willard Jenkins, the 13th annual DC Jazz Festival (June 9–18) boogied on the good foot assuredly.įor all the discussion about the District’s shifting demographic and rapid gentrification, the DC Jazz Festival acknowledges that the District is still Chocolate City. That groove is the delicate balance of titilating festivalgoers with burgeoning talent, some of which will offer something new and exciting while simultaneously building upon the familiar. ![]() (Photo: Michael Wilderman)Įvery noteworthy jazz festival finds its groove. Odean Pope (left) leads his sax choir on June 16 during the Captialbop DC Jazz Series in Washington, D.C. ![]()
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