CAPITAL JAZZ
MUSIC FESTIVAL
DC Jazz Festival 2025 United Legends, Rising Stars, and Its Vibrant Community
DC Jazz Fest 2025 at the District Wharf. Emmet Cohen Trio. Photo by Pablo Herrera (TMN).
The DC Jazz Festival 2025 once again turned Washington, D.C. into the capital of jazz. For five days, starting on Wednesday, the city’s stages came alive with unforgettable performances, spanning legends, rising stars, and community voices. From The Anthem and Arena Stage to The Wharf and Eaton Hotel, every corner of the city was pulsing with sound, stories, and soul.
WASHINGTON DC, By Pablo Herrera. Photo by Micah Bierman
The big weekend of jazz started on Friday night, and the festival opened with fire at The Anthem. We witnessed the brilliance of Matthew Whitaker, the blind prodigy whose soulful piano blends jazz, gospel, R&B, and classical into pure magic. Sharing the stage was Lalah Hathaway, the Grammy-winning “First Daughter of Soul,” who carried the legacy of her father Donny Hathaway while proving her own unmatched artistry. It was an opening night that set the tone for everything to follow. Watch the full performances here.
Tap the images to enlarge them.
Before the big weekend stages lit up, TMN was already in action on Wednesday at the Eaton Hotel. TMN creator Micah Bierman captured intimate performances that highlighted D.C.’s vibrant scene, including Dr. Reginald L. Bowens and Heidi Martin. Their sets were soulful, honest, and deeply connected to the community, showing that jazz thrives not only on grand festival stages but also in smaller, personal spaces where stories and voices shine. We also share exclusive photos from these moments taken by TMN talented creator Micah Bierman below.
Tap the images to enlarge them.
Across the weekend, the music spilled into The Wharf, filling the city with sound. At Arena Stage, Jazzmeia Horn lit up the Mead Center with a performance that electrified the crowd—her improvisation and fearless voice reaffirming why she’s one of the most exciting names in jazz today. Meanwhile, The String Queens transformed their set into a sonic tapestry that moved seamlessly from Baroque classics to jazz standards and Billboard hits. Their genre-defying approach reminded us just how alive and flexible jazz can be. Watch the full performances here.
Photos Below: Dr. Reginald L. Bowens and audience at Eaton Hotel (by Micah Bierman). Emmet Cohen at The Wharf (Photo by Pablo Herrera).
At the M Street Landing stage, the Jazz Academy of Music brought youthful energy and groove, a living proof of how the next generation is carrying the tradition forward. Over at District Pier, Christie Dashiell turned the waterfront into a sanctuary with her soulful voice and Grammy-nominated artistry. At Pearl Street Warehouse, Todd Marcus and his bass clarinet, joined by George Colligan, Kris Funn, and Eric Kennedy, gave us a rare and resonant journey into the expressive depth of jazz. And adding cosmic fire to the mix, the legendary Sun Ra Arkestra delivered an out-of-this-world performance that reminded everyone why their Afrofuturist vision continues to inspire across generations. Watch the full performances here.
Tap the images to enlarge them.
The weekend also gave us a chance to experience the Emmet Cohen Trio, a group that embodies what it means to be “young artists with old souls.” Their performance was a masterclass in swing, tradition, and passion, and under the summer sky of The Wharf, their sound lingered long after the last note. These performances, captured on video by TMN, are part of what made this year’s festival unforgettable. Watch the full performances here.
TMN also had the chance to go deeper with exclusive interviews. Among them was our sit-down with The Eric Byrd Trio, a powerhouse ensemble with over 25 years together and 11 albums released. As pianist Eric Byrd told us:
“The best of jazz is making everybody else sound good.”
That philosophy of humility and collaboration is what keeps their music alive and relevant—and it’s exactly the kind of wisdom we want to pass along to the next generation of creators.
For those who couldn’t catch every moment in person, we’ve curated a YouTube playlist with over 30 videos from DC Jazz Festival. From live performances to interviews, this collection captures the spirit, energy, and community that define the festival. It’s our way of extending the experience beyond the city and into your screen—so you can relive it, share it, and stay inspired.
TMN thanks the DC Jazz Festival organizers for opening the doors to our youth creators, giving them the opportunity to document, learn, and contribute to one of the world’s great cultural celebrations. Until next year, the music plays on.
Step into the rhythm of the DC Jazz Festival with TMN's youth-led coverage. 🎺
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the DC Jazz Festival organizers for once again entrusting our youth with this vital storytelling opportunity. To relive our spirited coverage from last year—and get a glimpse of what’s in store—visit our reels here. We invite all readers to follow along, because when young storytellers meet jazz, inspiration follows.
FEELING INSPIRED?
Become a TMN member and join the community powering the next generation of creators.
Get exclusive content, support young and independent journalism, learn alongside emerging talent, and be part of a movement that believes in the power of ideas.
TMN exists thanks to people like you!
Share this post:
