Jazz

Upcoming Events

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Guitar Renegades

Wed. Jan. 22, 2025

The Guitar Renegades are a guitar quintet comprised of Cristian Perez (founder/leader), Connor Holdridge, Jan Knutson, Parker Spears, and Tommy Holladay. Although they’re all jazz guitarists at heart, they venture into repertoire as diverse as Bach, Simon & Garfunkel, and more.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

Lunar New Year Celebration: Stephanie Chou

Sat. Jan. 25, 2025

Prepare to welcome the Year of the Snake with lion dancing and musical performances at the Kennedy Center on the Millennium Stage! This year’s musical performance will feature Stephanie Chou, a Chinese American jazz composer, saxophonist, and singer.

Millennium Stage (In-Person and Livestream)

The Anderson Brothers present Duke Ellington at 125

Wed. Jan. 29, 2025

“Virtuosos on clarinet & saxophone” (New York Times), Grammy®-winning Juilliard graduates and identical twins Peter & Will Anderson have performed across the world. On this lively evening of amazing jazz, the twins and their quintet will explore the works of iconic composer Duke Ellington.

Kenny Barron

Fri. Jan. 31, 2025

The LA Times named Kenny Barron “one of the top jazz pianists in the world” and Jazz Weekly calls him “the most lyrical piano player of our time.” The NEA Jazz Master—along with his trio featuring bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Savannah Harris—brings soul, grace, wit, and an unmatched ability to mesmerize audiences with elegant playing and infectious rhythms.

Digital Program cover showing a bird's eye view of the Kennedy Center campus

Jeremy Pelt Quintet

Fri. Jan. 31, 2025

Firebrand trumpet player Jeremy Pelt balances a deep grasp of the jazz tradition with his trademark warm, searching post-bop sound. JazzTimes calls him a “technical marvel” who “executes intricate solos with ease, plays gorgeous ballads in a tasteful manner, and never lacks flair.” Performing music from his 2023 release The Art of Intimacy and more, Pelt improvises an evening of beauty and mastery.

Nite Bjuti

Sat. Feb. 1, 2025

Nite Bjuti (pronounced “Night Beauty”) is a woman-led improvisatory trio of vocalist Candice Hoyes, Grammy-winning sound chemist Val Jeanty, and bassist Mimi Jones. Their improvised electro acoustic performances move through grooves into freedom. According to the New York Times, “spirit, conjure, necromancy, and memory seem to be some of the grounding ideas behind Nite Bjuti’s stunning, fully improvised sound.”

Pan American Symphony Orchestra presents

Fantasia Española

Sat. Feb. 1, 2025

Pan American Symphony Orchestra’s lavish, energetic performance of music inspired by Spanish traditions will leave you warmly inspired.

REDWOOD

Fri. Feb. 7, 2025

Pianist, composer, producer, and Washington, D.C. native Sequoia “REDWOOD” Snyder blends contemporary jazz vibes and Black music genres with individuality and style. At only 24, she’s performed with esteemed musicians such as Rodney Whitaker, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Barron, Cory Henry, and even popular R&B band The Internet. REDWOOD’s mentor Jason Moran says of his protégé, “when I can’t do a gig, I always recommend Sequoia.”

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Explore New Seasons of Jazz

Explores the improvisational excellence of the art form with jazz greats and rising stars alike expanding on ideas both timeless and genre defying.

Explore New Seasons of Jazz

Explores the improvisational excellence of the art form with jazz greats and rising stars alike expanding on ideas both timeless and genre defying.

Title treatment reads Ellington 125 next to a caricature of Duke Ellington in a top hat

Celebrating The Duke

EVENTS THROUGHOUT APRIL

Celebrate the innovative and outstanding musician, charismatic band leader, prolific composer, and Washington, D.C. native with performances from Jason Moran, the Dover Quartet, Cyrus Chestnut, and many more in over a dozen events this month.