The Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival signature presentation’s kick off with a big Thursday evening program in celebration and support of our award winning student ensemble the Jazz Academy of Music. This gala evening celebrates the life force of the jazz big band tradition with our signature student ensemble the Jazz Academy Orchestra, and from New Orleans, Delfeayo Marsalis and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra. Guaranteed to bring some Uptown NOLA fire, Delfeayo Marsalis’ assemblage features some of the Crescent City’s finest mu-sicians, including a number of exciting young musicians who’ll likely grace the MAJF stages in festivals to come.

Born and developed out of a regular series of weekly performances at New Orleans legendary Frenchman Street home of modern jazz, Snug Harbor, the Uptown Jazz Orchestra under the leadership of trombonist-composer Delfeayo Marsalis brings not only the rich Crescent City legacy but also the proud heritage of one of the first families of jazz, the Marsalis dynasty. You’re guaranteed carloads of those distinctive New Orleans rhythms that at some point in the program just might spark a Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival second line processional around the Ronnie Wells Mainstage room, reprising the spirit Delfeayo elicited at a past MAJF with Steve Turre and Frank Lacy as part of our raucous Trombone Summit.

The trombonely Delfeayo Marsalis, a product of the tutelage of his father NEA Jazz Master Ellis Marsalis, like his older brothers Branford, Wynton, and younger brother Jason, has maintained the rich family tradition of selfless engagement in jazz education. He’ll kickoff our Friday evening program directing the Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra, a Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival exclusive.

Following the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Orchestra’s performance will be the luscious, caramel coated vocal tones of Vanessa Rubin. Arriving in New York from her Cleveland hometown in the early 80s, Vanessa quickly gained the seal of approval from many of the great instrumentalists of jazz, which as any vocalist will testify is no mean feat! Blessed with a keen level of simpatico for her fellow musicians, Vanessa Rubin knows how to truly inhabit a band. With her versatility, easy sense of hard swing and lovely way around the ballad form, Vanessa is well poised to positively thrill the MAJF audience. Vanessa is always at home in the company of great tenor sax, and MAJF’s own Paul Carr will join Ms. Rubin for this performance.

In a neat handoff befitting MAJF’s always savvy programming, Vanessa will yield the mic to the evening’s closer, the Houston Person Quartet. What makes this such a perfect follow-up to Vanessa Rubin is not only the fact that Houston Person has long luxuriated in the company of great singers, but also because Vanessa was dear friends – and a collaborator on one of her albums – with the late Etta Jones, whose long term partnership with Person was a signature of the soulful side of late 20th century jazz. Deeply bred in the blues, Houston Person brings a huge, warm sound and deeply expressive tenor saxophone that is guaranteed to take the MAJF audience home in grand style as he closes the evening’s Ronnie Wells Main Stage proceedings.

Jazz Academy of Music’s Mardi Gras GalaBallroom - 7:00pmThursday, February 16

Ronnie Wells Main StageSession # 1 - 7:00pm | 8:30pm | 10:00pmFriday, February 17

Our Saturday matinee session on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage will truly be a next generation affair. We begin at noon with the always popular 2017 edition of our Mid-Atlantic Jazz Voice Finals. Culled from a deep well of aspirants, the cream of this year’s entrants will square off musically, voices lifted high in jazz song.

The six (6) finalists are Renee Georges, Lydia Harrell, Arta Jekabsone, Monica Pabelonio, Una Stade, and Danielle Wertz. They will be accompanied by the Chris Grasso Trio. Judges: Connaitre Miller, Wayne Wilentz and Sharon Clark.

Come early and see if your choice makes the cut, as did our 2016 Jazz Voice Winner, Noel Simone Wippler, whose performance will follow at 3:00pm.

The festival’s annual High School Band Competition finals will follow Noel Simone Wippler to the stage at 5:00pm.

Saturday evening’s festivities on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage begin with the enchantingly self assured vocal tones of Detroit bred Kathy Kosins, making her Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival debut. Ms. Kosins not only knows her way around the jazz and soul songbook, she is also quite the skilled arranger and songwriter.

Kosins will be followed at 8:30 by what has become a MAJF hallmark, the instrumental summit meeting. This year’s focal point will be a Guitar Summit, which will be represented by three disparate yet complimentary guitar voices: the good humored, high class stylings of that Georgia peach Russell Malone; the pungent, diverse approach of Illinois native, Baltimore trained Paul Bollenback, and the bluesy approach of Harlem’s own Bobby Broom, in his return appearance to the MAJF stage.

That February spirit of carnival returns to close out the evening’s Ronnie Wells Main Stage proceedings, courtesy of Trinidad’s own trumpet ace Etienne Charles and Creole Soul. A jazz educator in the proud tradition of MAJF’s Paul Carr and so many of the jazz educators who’ll be on hand throughout the festival, Etienne currently teaches at Michigan State University. His series of enthusiastically received recordings on the Culture Shock label are topped by his latest exploration of what he calls creole soul on the acclaimed San Jose Suite, his musical tribute/exploration of the city bearing that name. Expect a definite spirit of island jump up with Etienne Charles’ music.

Ronnie Wells Main StageSession # 2 - Noon | 3:00pm | 5:00pmSaturday, February 18

Ronnie Wells Main StageSession # 3 - 7:00pm | 8:30pm | 10:00pmSaturday, February 18

No festival would be complete without exclusive performances that one can only see at that festival. Our Sunday matinee session on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage begins with a MAJF exclusive, the assertive swing and power of the MAJF Women’s Collective. Some of the DMV’s mightiest female musicians join forces for this very special festival attraction. These include vocalist Akua Allrich, pianist Janelle Gill, bassist Amy Shook, and drummer Savannah Harris joining forces at 1:00pm.

Soulful sounds are among the hallmarks of any Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, and there is no style of jazz more soulful than the sound of a Hammond B-3 organ played with that blues-drenched spirit. That sound will be well represented on the Sunday afternoon matinee by the Greg Hatza Organization. Baltimore has long enjoyed a jazz organ tradition and this Reading, PA native has long called BMore his home base.

Closing our Sunday matinee will be a perennial Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival favorite, the blues/jazz/soul and cabaret friendly vocal stylist, Lavenia Nesmith. On this occasion Ms. Nesmith will present her program in tribute to the deeply influential NEA Jazz Master Nancy Wilson.

As has become customary, and a Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival favorite, festival director, ace educator and proud Texas Tenor (and soprano) saxophonist Paul Carr Quartet will be the curtain raiser for our Sunday evening proceedings. Never one to spare shining the spotlight on a deserving vocalist, this time PC will welcome to the stage an ever-swinging voice that may be new to our audience – but not for long – the engaging baritone of Mr. Jamie Davis.

Following Paul Carr’s introduction of Jamie Davis to the stage, and taking a brief holiday from his longtime stint in the renowned Saturday Night Live studio band, is the perennial poll-winning trombonist Steve Turre Quartet. Stylistically Steve Turre emerged out of the proud post bop tradition of the legendary J.J. Johnson. In addition to his deep, broad trombone sound, Steve Turre also delights worldwide audiences with his peerless, uncanny prowess on a family of instrumental seashells. Expect to be amazed!

Closing Session #5 will be one of the most distinctive voices on the scene, the cheeky, politically conscious Rene Marie. Noted for crafting pithy arrangements of great old standards (hear her mélange of Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” with Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne” or the R&B classic “Just My Imagination”), she’s a writer of pungent, often humor-laden, sometimes controversial original songs and song pairings (check her pairing of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing with the Star Spangled Banner). Given our current roiling U.S. political climate, expect Rene Marie to deliver some sharp commentary alongside her characteristic warm balladry and hard swinging vocal improvisations.

Ronnie Wells Main StageSession # 4 - 1:00pm | 2:30pm | 4:00pmSunday, February 19

Ronnie Wells Main StageSession # 5 - 6:00pm | 7:30pm | 9:00pmSunday, February 19

Concurrent with each afternoon and evening session on the Ronnie Wells Main Stage, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival Club space across the Hilton Hotel hallway has become a favorite hangout for MAJF audiences. After all, there’s still a large portion of the jazz audience that just wants to get their club on, in the classic jazz performance venue tradition.

This year’s offerings at the MAJF Club will welcome a broad array of singers, leavened by several smokin’ instrumentalists. We’ll kick things off in the Club with one of the DC area’s busiest and most promising young saxophonists, alto man Herb Scott. Throughout the weekend Club devotees will experience many flavors of the jazz voice, including Iva Jean Ambush and Ambuscade’s Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald to mark the centennial year of the great songstress. Maija Rejman will take us south of the border with a program likely to include many selections from her current album of Brazilian song.

On the instrumental side the Club will present violinist Chelsey Green and the Green Project; and Chelsey will sing some for you too! Alto saxophonist Terry Koger’s Quintet will hit the Saturday matinee, as will MAJF fave, vocalist Chad Carter. The vocal duo of Tacha Coleman Parr and Anthony Compton will take the stage early Saturday evening. Candice Bostwick will sing selections from her new CD, “Taking Flight,” with a band featuring veteran DMV alto saxophonist Marshall Keys.

Friday | Saturday | Sunday12am - 2amMidnight Jam Session

Closing each night at the Club as part of MAJF’s homage to a time-honored jazz tradition, the versatile Wes Biles Trio, featuring Wes Biles (bass), Eric Byrd (piano), Jeff Neal (drums), leads our Midnight Jam Sessions, capping off each night at the first minute of the new day. The MAJF Midnight Jam Session is brought to you by The Union Labor Life Insurance Company. The Jam Session is free and open to the public. All traditional Jazz musicians amature and professional are welcome to sit in. Bring your ax or your voice!

Sunday, February 1910:30am - Vespers ProgramEric Byrd and Common Ground

Music on the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Club Stage is provided by the MAJF. [Meals may be purchased at Olive’s Restaurant or Starbucks.]

Sunday’s Club offerings begin with our annual Jazz Vespers, befitting the Sabbath. Closing day will also include performances by the vocalists Karen Lovejoy Group, Petra Martin, and the latest aspirant in the long line of singing trumpeters, young Nico Sarbanes.

MAJF ClubFridayFebruary 17

SaturdayFebruary 18

SundayFebruary 19

7:00 pmHerb Scott

9:00 pmCandice BostwickCD Debute

1:00 pmChad Carter

2:30 pmTerry Koger Quintet

4:00 pmIva Jean Ambush and Jazz Ambuscade

6:00 pmTacha Coleman Parr & Anthony Compton

7:30 pmMaija Rejman

9:00 pmChelsey Green and the Green Project

3:30 pmThe Lovejoy Group

5:00 pmPetra Martin

7:00 pmNico Sarbanes

Juke Joint

Discovery Stage8:00 pm and 10:00 pm Amp Trio

AMP Trio (Addison Frei (piano), Perrin Grace (bass) and Matt Young (drummer)) has performed and recorded as the rhythm section for many other musicians such as John Raymond, Tim Green, Quamon Fowler, Drew Zaremba, Spenser Liszt and Sky Window. Each member has been a participant in Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program and was collectively invited to participate in the 2014 Steans Institute residency at Ravinia.

8:00 pm and 10:00 pm Kelsi Bolden and Friends

A native and resident of Southern New Jersey, Kelsi currently attends Camden Creative Arts High School where she is learning advanced music theory, transcription and composition skills. Starting on the xylophone at the age of 12, Kelsi transitioned to the vibes at 13. Her exceptional talent, however, went unnoticed until she enrolled at the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz. Currently touring with the Camden Creative Arts Jazz Collective, Kelsi has met esteemed artists such as Christian McBride, Khan Jamal, Arnetta Johnson, Tia Fuller and Mark Whitfield; and counts them all as inspirations.

8:00 pm and 10:00 pm Kristina Koller

It is always a joy to witness a new musical talent. Kristina Koller has become part of the New York City jazz scene in recent years, developing quickly into a highly individual jazz singer. Her sound is both timeless and contemporary. While she loves singing standards and straight ahead jazz, Kristina also enjoys arranging tunes in unusual ways, knowing that adding to the legacy of jazz is much more important than merely recreating the performances of others. She reinvents classic material while retaining their essence, putting her own winning personality and fresh ideas into the lyrics that she interprets.

9:00pm - 1:00am 9:00pm - 1:00am 9:00pm - 1:00amDavid Cole and Anthony “Swampdog” Clark BT RichardsonMain Street Blues The blues I perform is a nod to the Black Coffee ExperienceHot driving blues sure to past blues artists i.e., BB King, Jazzy/Urban Blues andget you up off of your feet. Muddy Waters, and Albert King Soul covers and Originals.They’ll take you through the with some contemporary influences history of the Blues with a by Bernard Allison, Keb Mo Special Guest: D L Watsonhigh level of musicianship. sprinkled with some original songs.

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FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 176:00pm - 12:00amWorkshops and Open Dancing

SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 1810:00am - 1:00pmLine Dance Workshops (Beginner/Intermediate)

1:00pm - 2:00pmZumba and Jazz Workshop

2:00pm - 7:00pmLine Dance Workshops (Beginner/Intermediate)

7:00pm - 8:00pm Hand Dance Workshop

8:00pm - 9:30pmEntertainment

9:30pm - 1:00am Request Your Favorite Dance: Line Dancing - DJ Ronnie Goode

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 191:00pm - 4:00pm Gospel and Praise Program

FRIDAY - FEBRUARY 17 6:00pm Vanessa Rubin Interview 9:00pm Delfeayo Marsalis Interview10:00pm Movie - “Born To Be Blue”SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 1810:00am Houston Person Interview11:00am Russell Malone and Bobby Broom Interview12:00pm Paul Carr “Demystifying Improvisation”1:00pm Kathy Kosins - Vocal Workshop2:00pm Chelsey Green - Jazz and the Violin Workshop3:00pm Panel Discussion: Preservation, Education and Promulgation | Moderator - Cedric Hendrix6:00pm Etienne Charles8:00pm Movie - “What Happened, Miss Simone?”10:00pm Movie - “Miles Ahead”

SUNDAY - FEBRUARY 192:00pm Movie - “What Happened, Miss Simone?”4:00pm Steve Turre Interview5:00pm Renee Marie Interview7:00pm Movie - “Born To Be Blue”

SATURDAY - FEBRUARY 1811:00am Alvin Trask - Trumpet12:00pm Reginald Cynthje - Trombone1:00pm Rhythm Section Masterclass2:30pm Antonio Parker, Language of Jazz, Saxophone

TROMBONESLead – Chris Mele (Senior), University of the ArtsSolo – John Wambach (Senior), University of MarylandSection – Ian Kaufman (Freshman), Temple UniversityBass – Matthew Della Camera (Senior), Ithaca College Trombone Alternate – Isaac Viars (Junior), West Virginia Wesleyan College

RHYTHM SECTIONPiano – Ben Brosche (Graduate), Duquesne UniversityPiano Alternate – Cole Abod (Freshman), University of MichiganBass – Lars Swanson (Junior), Marshall UniversityBass Alternate – Christopher McGraw (Sophomore), West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeGuitar – Nick Vassar (Graduate), University of MarylandGuitar Alternate – Elijah Cole (Freshman), Temple UniversityDrumset – Donovan Pope (Sophomore), Temple UniversityDrumset – Joseph Antico (Senior), University of MarylandDrumset Alternate – John Venezia (Senior), University of the Arts

2017 MID-ATLANTIC COLLEGIATE JAZZ ORCHESTRAGuest Conductor & Soloist - Delfeayo Marsalis

David Kauffman, Coordinator

SAXOPHONESLead Alto – Simon Crosby-Areaza (Sophomore), Temple UniversitySecond Alto – Anthony Nigro (Senior), University of the ArtsAlto Alternate – Ken Yoneda (Graduate), Fordham UniversityLead Tenor – Henry Tirfe (Senior), University of the ArtsSecond Tenor – Christian Lewis (Junior), Temple UniversityTenor Alternate – Erick Miranda (Senior), West Chester UniversityBaritone – Josh Lee (Graduate), Temple UniversityBaritone Alternate – Nicholas Biagini (Junior), University of Massachusetts

TRUMPETSLead – Andrew Connors (Senior), University of the ArtsSection – Hart Guonjian-Pettit (Senior), University of MarylandSection – Matt Salazar (Senior), University of the ArtsSection – Eric Smith (Senior), University of Massachusetts Section – Tyler Perske (Senior), West Virginia Wesleyan College

Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestraan initiative of the Jazz Academy of Music

Main StageFriday, February 17 @ 7:00pm

POTOMAC ROOMJSLD Line Dance Event

TRUMAN ROOMMaster Classes

BILLY TAYLOR ROOMHumanities Room

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2017 MAJF HonoreesAs has become a Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival custom, this year we will honor two gentlemen who have contributed tirelessly to the DMV jazz scene and to jazz education, with our annual award.

Dr. Arthur DawkinsA native of Lexington, NC who grew up in Alexandria, VA, Art Dawkins is a key figure in jazz education in the DMV. He is Howard University’s first director of its auspicious Jazz Studies program, which he directed for 30 years before his 2005 retirement. Among his many achievements, besides matriculating a number of first-rate musicians who have gone on to achieve great things in the music industry (including MAJF’s Paul Carr), Dr. Dawkins established the HU jazz program as the first HBCU to offer a Masters in Jazz Studies degree pursuit. As a musician, tenor saxophonist Art Dawkins was long a first call player on the DC area scene, including as a member of the legendary Howard Theatre house band that backed up so many of the greats of American music.

Rusty HassanA native of Greenwich, CT, Rusty Hassan is truly one of the sage figures on the DMV jazz scene, and one of the honored voices of DC-area jazz radio. His career in radio has included stints at his alma mater Georgetown University radio, as well as a long stint on DC’s former “Jazz 90” WDCU. Currently Rusty Hassan can be heard on Thursday nights at 10pm on WPFW, where he has graced the airways for the last two decades. A deeply informative album liner notes writer, Rusty was also a contributor to the Washington Historical Society’s much-lauded special 2016 jazz issue, contributing a comprehensive piece on DC’s jazz radio history. In addition to his media exploits, the retired labor leader has long taught jazz history courses, most recently at Georgetown, and lectured on jazz across the DMV.

The Jazz Academy of Music, Inc. is funded in part by the Montgomery County government and the Art & Humanities Council of Montgomery County.

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