Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts announce lineup for Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2023
Four acts set to perform at free outdoor music festival
ARLINGTON, Va. (June 14, 2023) — The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) today announced the lineup for the 31st annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest, the community’s most popular free outdoor music festival. Headlining this year’s festival is New Orleans-based quintet Galactic, featuring Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, with additional performances from Pedrito Martínez Group, Oh He Dead, and DuPont Brass. In partnership with Arlington Arts, this year’s festival will take place on Saturday, September 9, from 1 to 7 p.m. at Gateway Park (1300 Langston Blvd, Arlington, Va).
“Over the last three decades, Jazz Fest has become Arlington’s largest outdoor music festival that the community has come to know and love,” said Mary-Claire Burick, president of the Rosslyn BID. “Jazz Fest exemplifies the vibrancy of our region and this year’s diverse lineup of artists will fill Gateway Park and bring us together to enjoy an afternoon of great music and fun with family and friends.”
Listeners of all backgrounds, interests, and ages are welcome at this lively celebration of jazz in the heart of Arlington. This year’s artists bring together an eclectic blend of soul, funk, R&B, and hip hop, with roots in conventional jazz expression, offering an array of music for every attendee to enjoy.
“Fueled by the deep creative well of jazz and its extensions, Jazz Fest is a showcase for artists who are inspired to take the music in new directions,” said Josh Stoltzfus, deputy director of Arlington County’s Cultural Affairs Division. “From the Afro-Cuban jazz throughline of Pedrito Martínez, to Galactic’s fresh take on the musical mash-up of New Orleans traditions, to the soulful Oh He Dead, this year’s high-energy mix of genres will keep audiences on their feet.”
To accompany the musical performances, there will be a handful of local food trucks and fun programming for all ages. Details about vendors and activities will be released throughout the summer.
To get to Gateway Park, there are several conveniently located transportation options, including the nearby Rosslyn Metro station (providing access to the Blue, Silver, and Orange lines), several Metrobus stations, bike and scooter parking onsite, and multiple Capital Bikeshare stations close by. Updates and transportation schedules will become available closer to the event.
2023 ROSSLYN JAZZ FEST LINEUP (SET TIMES TBA):
Galactic: Galactic is a proud New Orleans-based quintet that has been together for nearly three decades. They have released 10 albums, performed over 2,000 gigs, and garnered tens of millions of streams. They’ve performed with world-class bands and artists – including Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Counting Crows, and The Allman Brothers Band – appeared on Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, contributed to the blockbuster soundtrack for Now You See Me, and performed at Coachella, Bonnaroo, and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (a staggering 22 times). They are joined by vocal powerhouse Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph. Visit their website to learn more.
Pedrito Martínez Group: Cuban born and raised artist Pedro Pablo “Pedrito” Martínez began his musical career at the young age of 11, and is known as a consummate master of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and the batá drum. He has recorded or performed with world-class artists – including Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Palmieri, Dave Matthews, Jackson Browne, Elton John, James Taylor, and Sting – and has contributed to well over 100 albums. Pedrito toured the world in the mid to late 90’s, and was nominated for a Grammy. Visit his website to learn more.
Oh He Dead: DC-based Oh He Dead was founded in 2015 by singer CJ "Bowlin" Johnson and singer/guitarist Andy Valenti. Eight years later, the now six-piece group is known for their energetic live shows and music that ranges from soul to pop to funk to rock. Critics call the lead singer’s voice “a combination of Stevie Nicks and Tracy Chapman” (Kojo Nnamdi), and compliment the band’s “sublime instrumentation” (NPR) and “infectious and soulful sound” (Washington Post). Oh He Dead's second album, Pretty, will be out on September 15, right after this year’s Jazz Fest. Until then, they are releasing a new single every six weeks. Visit their website to learn more.
DuPont Brass: Originally composed of five music majors from Howard University raising money for tuition at local Metro stations, D.C.-based DuPont Brass has since grown to a nine-piece ensemble consisting of brass, a rhythm section, and vocalists. Through their training in classical and contemporary styles, DuPont Brass has developed a sound they've coined "Eclectic Soul" that mixes varied genres of music, including jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. Visit their website to learn more.
For more information and to plan your festival experience visit www.rosslynva.org/jazzfest.
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About Rosslyn Business Improvement District:
The Rosslyn Business Improvement District provides high-quality, customer-oriented services designed to define, enhance, and continually improve Rosslyn for those who work, live, visit, and do business here. As a resourceful and collaborative organization, we work in partnership with our key stakeholders and Arlington County to create a welcoming, creative, thriving environment that supports Rosslyn’s residents and a wide range of business types, from innovative start-ups to established Fortune 500 companies and international associations. We take an active leadership role in all that we do, serving as a collaborator, community builder, and agent of positive change. For more information, please visit www.rosslynva.org.
About Arlington Arts:
Arlington Arts is the presenting arm of Arlington Cultural Affairs, a Division of Arlington Economic Development, that exists to create, support, and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington County. For more information about the range of arts events in Arlington, please visit www.arlingtonarts.org.