Celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month

Ras Lidj is a musician, songwriter, and performer from DC, known for creating his own genre, “Regg’Go” – a fusion of Roots dancehall Reggae and DC’s signature Go-Go beat. A seasoned music veteran, Ras Lidj blends the vibes of reggae, dancehall, and Go-Go into a unique sound. Since receiving his name in 1992, his socially conscious songs and live performances have established Regg’Go as a distinctive genre of its own.

Grammy Award winners Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer are master musicians whose superb harmonies are backed by instrumental virtuosity on the guitar, five-string banjo, ukulele, mandolin, cello-banjo, and more. Cathy & Marcy’s Old Time Coalition, featuring Rachel Eddy (fiddle), Becky Hill (percussive dance, vocals), and Em Hammond (bass, percussive dance), has grown out of a mutual love of Appalachian music and dance. They take the passion of a late-night porch jam session and put it on stage.

For decades, Frankie Beverly and Maze have been the soundtrack to our lives. Their music, a timeless blend of soulful grooves, uplifting messages, and undeniable funk, has carried us through "Joy and Pain," given us "Happy Feelin's," and reminded us that "We Are One." But as one chapter closes, another begins.

Though the iconic Frankie Beverly has taken his well-deserved final bow, the music must live on.  And that's where ATOM comes in.

We are more than just a band; we are a continuation of a legacy.  We are a group of dedicated musicians, singers, and performers, united by a shared love for the music that has shaped our lives. We've poured over every note, every lyric, every soaring vocal, capturing the essence of Maze and channeling it into a fresh, vibrant experience.

Are you musically curious? Musicians and those who are interested in listening are invited to BAE’s monthly Curiosity Jam! We welcome singers and instrumentalists from any culture in the world. Our goal is to share music and encourage cross-cultural collaboration. World music band Kundalika is the house backing band, with sitar-guitar, acoustic guitar, upright bass and djembe on hand. In addition to “open mic” time, each monthly jam will also feature a special segment, the world music group jam. We will teach folks how to play the basic outline of an Indian classical music scale on their own instrument (or sing it vocally). Then we’ll lay down a groove and do a jam will all the musicians there playing together! No knowledge of Indian music required; we will have handouts in Western notation.

Led by baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer, Seven Pointed Star is one of the region’s hottest new jazz groups, featuring some of the most accomplished jazz women on the planet. The repertory features Pilzer’s arrangements of her own original songs and those of other band members, selections from the Great American Songbook, and jazz standards, all performed with electrifying energy, joy, and stellar musicianship.

Join us as national recording artist Jamar Dukes, Reggie Baker, and Bryan Fox will perform some of Bobby Womacks greatest hits such as: “If You Think You’re Lonely Now,” “Harry Hippie,” “That’s The Way I Feel About Cha,” “Woman’s Gotta Have It”, and many more. If you are a fan of Bobby Womack’s music, then this is a tribute you do not want to miss!

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents chamber music classics.

Heather LeDoux Green, violin
Daniel Foster, viola
David Hardy, cello
Lambert Orkis, piano

Performances: 11am, 1:30pm

Bring the whole family to enjoy smart, crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats. Performing in Spanish and English, the award-winning Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band is on the pulse of all things kids’ music.

Bongo District’s mix of reggae, funk, and ska, spiced up with a Latin flavor, has earned the group local recognition, becoming one of D.C.’s most sought-after bands. Its fusion of musical genres shakes dance floors and captivates music lovers’ attention.

Featuring four outstanding bands from throughout the United States performing works by Sousa, Williams, Maslanka, Ticheli and more!

Ranky Tanky has achieved many firsts for South Carolina’s West African–rooted Gullah community since their formation, earning yet another milestone at the 2019 Grammy Awards by taking home the Best Regional Roots Album prize for their sophomore release Good Time.

Performances: 7pm & 9:30pm

The Revive Big Band is not just a band—it’s a movement. Celebrating the release of their debut album Like A Tree It Grows, the inventive big band led by Igmar Thomas returns to the Kennedy Center after two sold-out shows for another exciting presentation! 

The Hyattsville Jazz Collective was founded in 2018 and calls Maryland Meadworks home. The group performs there once a month and has also been playing in Prince George’s County at various events and locations since. Comprised of 5 local musicians, the group performs new compositions as well as their own treatments of jazz standards. Each member lived in Philadelphia or New York City for years before relocating to the DMV and brings a wealth of experience to this band.

Performances: 7pm & 9:30pm

The Revive Big Band is not just a band—it’s a movement. Celebrating the release of their debut album Like A Tree It Grows, the inventive big band led by Igmar Thomas returns to the Kennedy Center after two sold-out shows for another exciting presentation! 

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to experience the sublime synergy of two musical superstars, live! For one night only, violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Daniil Trifonov join forces to perform masterworks of the chamber music repertoire. Bask in the transcendent beauty of Beethoven, the drama of Poulenc, the depth of Brahms, and the avant-garde spirit of Bartók… all in the hands of these extraordinary artists.

J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band) features four legendary musicians: John Jorgenson, Herb Pedersen, Patrick Sauber, and Mark Fain. Part bluegrass and part 70s singer-songwriter vocal harmonies, it’s American roots music at its very finest.

This is the 10th annual “Thanks for the Memories.” The area’s finest talent honors the artists we loved and lost in 2024.

Featuring: Angela Hill, Delleta Gillepsie, Patsy Stephens, John Jameson, Sandra Dean, Mark Arcusa, Jeff Jones, and the Daryl Davis Band.

Remembering and paying tribute to these great artists: Clarence Frogman Henry, Kris Kristofferson, Frankie Beverly, Toby Keith, Duane Eddy, Melanie, Dickey Betts, Steve Lawrence, Roni Stoneman, Eric Carmen, Mary Weiss, Henry, Fambrough, Wayne Kramer, Joe Bonsall, Randy Fuller, Kevin Toney, and more!

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra play an assortment of chamber music.

• Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No.8  

• Arvo Pärt: Da pacem Domine

• Felix Mendelssohn: String Quartet No.3 in D major 

   

Featuring: 

Jennifer Kim, violin 

Rachelle Hunt, violin 

Ricardo Cyncynates, viola 

James Lee, cello 

Third Coast Percussion has distinguished itself through energetic and unexpected musical experiences that “push percussion in new directions” (NPR) and create “an inspirational sense of fun and curiosity” (Minnesota Star-Tribune).

The Korean drumming collective GongMyoung is renowned for its innovative reinterpretations of time-honored Korean music—with a modern jam-session flair, unconventional improvised instruments, and an effortless sense of cool.

In collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Cultural Center

The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) presents the AAMS Family Concert by winners of the 2024 AAMS ensemble competition. It will be a fantastic performance by these talented young musicians, who’ll serenade and entertain your family. Join us for the joyful sounds!

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.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Georgetown University celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a free, ticketed musical tribute, the Let Freedom Ring Celebration. The annual program, part of the Center’s Millennium Stage performance series, will feature musical performances by Christopher Jackson and esperanza spalding and the Let Freedom Ring Choir, led by Music Producer Nolan Williams, Jr.

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents chamber music classics.

TAE & The Neighborly is a Wisconsin-based soul-pop R&B group. It was formed during 2020 over their shared love of cake baking. The Cowboy Gazette says their live show is “...going down smoother than a can of [beans] warmed on the campfire.”

Zar Electrik pays homage to tribal cultures, particularly through the incorporation of the ancient Zar ritual originating from Ethiopia and Egypt. The group transports us into its unique universe, where the reigning forces are trance and dance.