Rosslyn BID and Arlington Arts Announce Lineup for Rosslyn Jazz Fest 2024
Arlington's Largest Free Outdoor Music Festival Highlights Diverse Cultural Expression
Rosslyn, VA (June 5, 2024) — The Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) and Arlington Arts are thrilled to unveil the highly anticipated lineup for the 2024 Rosslyn Jazz Fest (Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1-7 p.m.).
Tiny Desk and GLOBALfest break-out stars El Laberinto Del Coco bring Bomba fusion direct from Puerto Rico, led by former DC-percussionist Hector Barez and featuring Puerto Rico’s legendary trumpeter and vocalist Jerry Medina. New Orleans’ 2024 Grammy nominees The Rumble, the Gullah-jazz roots music of two-time Grammy winners Ranky Tanky, and DC singer-songwriter Cecily round out a diverse lineup of innovative heavy-hitters that will have you on your feet all day long!
This year’s festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 1 to 7 p.m. at Gateway Park (1300 Langston Blvd, Arlington, VA). Now in its 32nd year, Rosslyn Jazz Fest has become a staple in Arlington's cultural calendar, attracting attendees from near and far. As Arlington’s largest free outdoor music festival, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience innovative artists who infuse inspiration from many cultures in an expression of the area’s diversity.
"This event is not only a celebration of jazz music, but also a celebration of our diverse community," said Mary-Claire Burick, President of the Rosslyn BID. "We invite everyone to join us for a day filled with incredible music, delicious fare from local food trucks, and engaging activities for all ages. Whether you're an avid jazz fan or simply looking to enjoy an afternoon of great music and fun with family and friends, Rosslyn Jazz Fest is the place to be."
The festival's reputation for showcasing powerhouse headliners and emerging talents continues to grow. This year's lineup promises to be no exception, with a curated list of marquee names and local talent. From innovative, eclectic fusions to emerging styles of jazz, Rosslyn Jazz Fest is a true celebration of the diverse music landscape.
"Rosslyn Jazz Fest is not just a music festival; it's a multi-layered experience that brings together the energy of music festivals with the multicultural essence of our community," said Josh Stoltzfus, deputy director of Arlington County’s Cultural Affairs Division. "We are proud to showcase innovative artists who are redefining jazz and creating a space for emerging talents to shine."
Gateway Park provides the perfect backdrop for this dynamic event, combining the energy of a block party with the welcoming space of a park. With the iconic Rosslyn skyline as the backdrop, festival goers can immerse themselves in a multicultural experience that includes not only incredible music but also food trucks, outdoor bars, games, and activities for all ages.
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Rosslyn Jazz Fest. This is a music festival you won't want to miss! Tickets will be available starting August 1.
For more information about the festival, visit www.rosslynva.org/jazzfest.
About The Artists
El Laberinto Del Coco
Fresh from their appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, 2024 looks to be the year of El Laberinto del Coco - a dynamic Bomba Fusion band hailing from Puerto Rico with roots in Washington, DC. Combining traditional Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms with contemporary genres, the band recently tore the roof off Lincoln Center as the explosive headliner for the prestigious annual globalFEST showcase in New York. “With their sprawling presentation and big, percussion driven sound […they] had the crowd in rapture,” exclaimed Afropop Worldwide magazine, calling them a “…fitting finale for what is now New York’s premier global music showcase.” Since their 2017 founding by former DC percussionist Hector Barez, El Laberinto del Coco has released a critically acclaimed self-titled album, an EP entitled El Laberinto del Coco Virtual, and six new singles. This fast-rising ensemble has captivated audiences at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in Washington, DC; SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas; Global Fest at Lincoln Center; Drom NYC; and Chicago’s Summer Concert Series at Millennium Park, among others.
“Laberinto De Coco make tradition both fun and important. Your hips move while your soul is enriched with history and joy!”
- Felix Contreras, co-host of NPR Music’s Alt.Latino
The Rumble
This 2024 Grammy-nominated band (“Best Regional Roots Album”) was created in 2021 by seven members of multi-Grammy-nominated band Cha Wa. After its mass exodus, the collective vowed to both preserve and further a musical vision that blends New Orleans culture from past, present and future. Fronted by Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the legendary Golden Eagles Indian tribe, The Rumble boasts some of the next generation’s most prolific artists.
Ranky Tanky
This two-time Grammy award-winning, Charleston, SC-based quintet performs timeless music born from the Gullah culture of the southeastern Sea Islands. Their debut album was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and the TODAY Show. It also soared to the #1 position on the Billboard, Amazon, and iTunes Jazz Charts. Playful game songs, ecstatic shouts, and heartbreaking spirituals can all be found on their latest release Good Time, which also offers the groups first original songs inspired by Gullah tradition.
Cecily
DC-based vocalist and songwriter Cecily, (pronounced ses-suh-lee), is known for her agile soprano and honest lyrics. Her sound, as soothing as it is rich, is rooted in a deep appreciation for mid-century soul and jazz, 90’s R&B, and re-imagined folk music. Her debut album Songs of Love and Freedom garnered her a 2019 Wammie Award for Best Soul Album and was named “Best New Soul on Bandcamp” by the Bandcamp editorial team, who described the project as “stirringly timeless and modern.”
About the 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 Cultural Affairs is a division of Arlington Economic Development which delivers public activities and programs as Arlington Arts. Our mission is to create, support, and promote the arts, connecting artists and community to reflect the diversity of Arlington. We do this by: providing material support to artists and arts organizations in the form of grants, facilities and theater technology; integrating award-winning public art into our built environment; and presenting high quality performing, literary, visual and new media programs across the County.