Jazz Festivals Highlight 2024 Events

The Chicago Jazz Festival showcased a vibrant lineup of performances on August 30, 2024, featuring artists like the Billy Harper Quintet and Tomeka Reid Quartet, captivating audiences despite light rain. Meanwhile, the Barbican Theatre hosted Clod Ensemble and Nu Civilisation Orchestra's immersive performance of Charles Mingus's acclaimed album 'The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady', which included new jazz compositions and attracted a lively audience eager to dance. In Washington, D.C., the 20th anniversary of the D.C. Jazz Festival is being celebrated with a curated playlist by resident artist Corcoran Holt, spotlighting local talent and festival performers. Additionally, the Detroit Jazz Festival, the largest free jazz festival globally, is set to take place over Labor Day weekend, featuring a star-studded lineup and the grand opening of the Gretchen C. Valade Jazz Center at Wayne State University. The festival emphasizes its impact on the local community and its international reach, as discussed by local leaders. Artist Jess Fendo also shared her inspiration for this year's festival poster.