By AFRO Staff

The D.C. Jazz Festival took place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at multiple locations throughout the city at venues including the Kennedy Center, the District Pier and Arena Stage. Black performers and lovers of jazz traveled from as far as California to take part in the celebration. The festival was started in 2004 by husband and wife duo Charles Fisherman and Stephanie Peters, offering a wide array of the activities that are in large, free of charge. Organizers and attendees commemorated the nineteenth year of the event in 2023, with well known artists such as Samara Joy, Orrin Evans and Gregory Porter gracing the stage.

  • The DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital hosted a concert featuring The String Queens, and Gregory Porter, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (L-R): Pamela Johnson, came from Rockland County NY for her first jazzfest, Mary Dilworth, from DC is here for her 2nd jazzfest, and Laurenda Carter, from Silver Spring, MD, came for her 2nd jazzfest. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • The DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital hosted a concert featuring The String Queens, who opened for Gregory Porter, at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. This was The String Queens first time performing at the jazzfest. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • From Washington, D.C. (L-R): Tony Teat, and here for her first jazzfest, Tyechia White, enjoy the DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital, at The Wharf in Southwest Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • People in a boat ride past the DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital, at The Wharf in Southwest Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • First DC jazzfest for (L-R): Kelly Dibble, Washington, D.C., and Kermit Benton, came from Los Angeles, Ca., enjoy the DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital, at The Wharf in Southwest Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • (L-R): Debbie Veney, board of the DC Jazzfest, Oliver Johnson came from Dallas, TX for his first jazzfest, and Karen Parker from D.C., enjoy the DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital, at The Wharf in Southwest Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • Grammy Award-winning jazz singer Samara Joy, performs at the DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital, at The Wharf in Southwest Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.
  • Saxophonist Kenny Garrett (L), performs at the DC Jazzfest 19th annual festival celebrating jazz in the Nation’s Capital, at The Wharf in Southwest Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Photo by Cheriss May, for The Afro.