Capital Jazz Festival 2008

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16th Annual
Capital Jazz Festival

Each year in early June, tens of thousands of music lovers from throughout the country flock to the suburbs of Washington, D.C. to attend the world's largest showcase of contemporary jazz — The Capital Jazz Fest. This multi-day, multi-stage outdoor music festival, which attracts music lovers from 44 states, is more than just a concert, it's an event! It's a place to people-watch, eat, drink, shop, mingle, relax, soak in the rays, and of course hear some of the world's finest contemporary jazz music performed by artists whom you won't see anywhere else in the Washington-Baltimore area this summer.

In-between musical sets, you can enjoy fine art and crafts at the Festival Marketplace, culinary treats at the food court, plus artist workshops and meet & greets. After the show, check out the late night after-parties, plus the 5th Annual Capital Jazz Challenge competition, featuring some of the finest up-and-coming contemporary jazz talent, to be held this year at the Hilton Columbia hotel.

Since its inception in 1993, the Capital Jazz Fest — which guitarist Chuck Loeb once referred to as the "Woodstock of jazz festivals" — has continually showcased the biggest names in contemporary jazz. Past performers include Herbie Hancock, Kenny G, George Duke, The Jazzmasters, Kem, Grover Washington, Jr., Anita Baker, Ray Charles, Al Jarreau, Nancy Wilson, Marcus Miller, Will Downing, Najee, Incognito, David Sanborn, George Benson, Fourplay, and countless others.

Friday, June 6, 2008

Merriweather Post Pavilion
7:30pm - Gates open 6:30pm

Pavilion Stage
Special guest host Patti Austin
(in order of appearance)
Boney James
Brian McKnight

Hilton Columbia Hotel
10:30pm - 1:30am free event!
Mix & Mingle Party
Capital Jazz Challenge Competition
Hosted by Jay Lang

Saturday, June 7, 2008

Merriweather Post Pavilion
12 noon - 10pm
Gates open 10am

Pavilion Stage
Special guest host Patti Austin
12:00n Ken Ford
1:30pm Spyro Gyra
3:00pm Kim Waters
4:30pm Roberta Flack
6:00pm Wayman Tisdale
7:30pm Dianne Reeves
9:00pm Chris Botti

Note: Winner of Capital Jazz Challenge will perform at 11:00am

Symphony Woods Stage
Hosted by Tony Richards
12:30pm Frank McComb
2:00pm Plunky
3:30pm Carl Thomas
5:00pm Loose Ends
6:30pm Maysa
8:00pm Jeffrey Osborne

Hilton Columbia Hotel
10:30pm - 3:00am
Capital Jazz After-Hours Party
featuring LadyRhythm - DC's hottest all-female band!
DJ music by SOS Productions

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Merriweather Post Pavilion
12 noon - 10pm
Gates open 10am

Pavilion Stage
Special guest host Patti Austin
12:00n Four80East
1:30pm Down to the Bone featuring Shilts
3:00pm R&R (featuring Rick Braun & Richard Elliot)
5:00pm Randy Crawford & Joe Sample
7:00pm Jonathan Butler
8:30pm Brian Culbertson & The Funk Experience

Symphony Woods Stage
Hosted by Tony Richards
12:30pm Billy Kilson & BK Groove
1:45pm The Jazzy Soul Collective
(featuring Jimmy Sommers, Vikter Duplaix,
Gordon Chambers, & Lynne Fiddmont)
3:30pm Eric Roberson
5:00pm Average White Band
6:30pm Howard Hewett
8:00pm Ledisi

The Capital Jazz Fest is held at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. Located between Washington and Baltimore, in a lovely 40-acre natural wooded setting known as Symphony Woods, Merriweather provides a concert experience like no other. Fest-goers may enjoy the festival up-close and theatre-style in the open-air covered pavilion, or outdoors and picnic-style on the gently-sloping lawn.

The Capital Jazz Fest features live performances on two stages running simultaneously. The Pavilion Stage will showcase contemporary jazz artists and the Symphony Woods Stage (dark on Friday) will showcase urban and alternative artists.

All festival tickets include admission to both stages. Reserved seating at the Pavilion Stage is available only to patrons holding Pavilion seat tickets.

General admission (unreserved) seating is available at both stages on a first-come first-serve basis.

www.capitaljazz.com/2008/