Black Music Month in the DMV area isn’t Black Music Month without the Capital Jazz Fest. The yearly music festival draws artists from all genres of Black Music and music lovers from all walks of life to Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland every June. They’re doing it again this year with the 31st Annual Capital Jazz Fest set to go down the weekend of Friday, June 7th through Sunday, June 9th. In preparation for the big weekend, the lineup has been announced and it’s overflowing with talent.
Billed as “the jazz festival with soul,” this June’s Capital Jazz Fest lives up to that title and then some. The fest kicks off with a heavy dose of soul on Friday night courtesy of soul brotha Anthony Hamilton who will be headlining. Before AHam, his band and background singers The Ton3s shut it down, songbirds Teedra Moses and Chrisette Michele will warm things up as will host Laiya St. Clair of Questlove Supreme and Jill Scott Presents: J.ill The Podcast.
The full festival will commence on Saturday with two stages of entertainment running all day long. On the jazz-centric Pavilion Stage hosted by The Bassman, the headliner will be Gregory Porter. Leading up to his performance will be an array of artists including soul music royalty Lalah Hathaway, instrumental duo Black Violin, jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, trumpet player Keyon Harrold with special guest Stout, jazz singer Lori Williams, house music great Louie Vega & The Elements Of Life and saxophonist/vocalist Braxton Cook.
Across the Merriweather Post Pavilion grounds on the Symphony Woods Stage hosted by Cayman Kelly, R&B and soul will be in the spotlight. After last performing at the Capital Jazz Fest in 2019, 13-time GRAMMY Award winner Babyface returns to headline this stage on Saturday night. Prior to the maestro putting on a show, attendees will enjoy music from British songstress Joss Stone, living legend El DeBarge, ’90s R&B dance diva CeCe Peniston, married duo Kindred The Family Soul and classic R&B group The Jones Girls featuring Shirley Jones.
Sunday will be the closing day of the 31st Annual Capital Jazz Fest, and they’re ending strong. The Bassman will return to host the Pavilion Stage, which will be headlined by Kem. Soulbird India.Arie, multifaceted musician Meshell Ndegeocello, jazz keyboardist Alex Bugnon, soul sanger Leela James, saxophonist/vocalist Marqueal Jordan and trumpeter Theo Croker are all on tap to perform. There will also be an exclusive Marvin Gaye tribute with special surprise guests.
Over on the Symphony Woods Stage, meanwhile, Cayman Kelly will hold it down as host while the bad boys of R&B Jodeci hold it down as headliners. Scheduled performers on this stage include The Love King Raheem DeVaughn, R&B songstress Karyn White, contemporary R&B singer Jon B and legendary band Switch. As if all this isn’t enough, there’s still at least one more artist to be announced.
The Capital Jazz Fest is always a good time filled with great music and artistry, and the 31st Annual Capital Jazz Fest promises to deliver just that with this unbelievable lineup. We’re sure that you’re going to want to be in attendance, so make plans to be there. You can start by purchasing tickets, which go on sale on Saturday, March 23rd at 10 a.m. ET on Ticketmaster. For anyone who wants to avoid those dreaded Ticketmaster service charges, tickets will also be available to purchase in-person at the Merriweather Post Pavilion box office starting Monday, March 25th at 10 a.m. ET. For more information on ticketing, visit the Capital Jazz Fest website.
