The 7th Annual Washington Heights Jazz Festival boasts a list of over 60 musicians performing across local venues- get the scoop on the lineup and special events to attend.
Now in its seventh year, the Washington Heights Jazz Festival serves as a platform for the jazz creatives and cultural diversity of Upper Manhattan. Historically featuring both established and emerging artists, the festival aims to create an inclusive environment for music lovers while fostering and strengthening the Washington Heights community as a whole.
With performances taking place across several stages in local venues, the Jazz Festival showcases the best of today’s New York City jazz scene while honoring the area’s rich cultural diversity through their performances for jazz lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
“We are thrilled to bring together such a diverse group of musicians and celebrate the rich jazz heritage of Washington Heights. This festival is a testament to the vibrant arts community in our neighborhood and the power of jazz to connect us all.”
– Louise Rogers, Artistic Director
This year’s Festival was kicked off with an exciting set of pre-festival events on October 25 and 27, with Ethan O’Reilly on bass and Olli Hirvonen on guitar bringing jazz to Cabrini Wines and the 2024 Jazz Composition Competition Winner Meg Okura hosting a “Meet the Composer” performance at the Castle Village Community Room where she performed and discussed excerpts of her commissioned piece “Reharmonizing Identity.”
Night one opened on Halloween with the iconic Aimée Allen Quartet performing at Le Cheile.
Night two on November 1 is to feature George Michael, John Albin, and Ethan O’Reilly at 181 Cabrini and the exciting Festival All-Star Jam, in which Festival performers will jam together alongside Annette Aguilar’s String Beans at Kismat in partial support from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Both performances are to be completely free of charge.
Saturday, November 2 boasts an expansive list of performances including Louise Rogers’ Jazzy For Kids family-oriented show, the Noah Bless & Latin Soul Party with support from a Creative Engagement Grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, The Chidi Trio, Shareef Clayton & Friends, The Steve Slagle Quartet, The Manual Valera Trio, 2024 Jazz Composition Competition winner Meg Okura, Vanisha Gould, and Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Projects.
All Saturday events are to be ticketed and held at Le Cheile, and all-day passes are available for unlimited access to all of the day’s events at $50.
The Festival will conclude on November 3 with a free Jazz Brunch with the StringJazz Trio of WaHi at Le Creparis, Nicki Adams and Michael Eaton at The Lounge at Hudson View Gardens, and a free Latin Jazz Party with Tres Gatos at Dutch Baby Bakery.
To learn more about the 7th Annual Washington Heights Jazz Festival, find specific set times, and purchase tickets, visit the official website here.
Festival Schedule:
Thursday, October 31st
8pm Aimée Allen Quartet – Le Cheile
Friday, November 1st
5-7pm George Michael, John Albin, & Ethan O’Reilly – 181 Cabrini FREE
7-10pm The Festival All-Star Jam, Festival performers jamming with Jazz WaHi, featuring Annette Aguilar’s String Beans (partially supported by the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council) – Kismat FREE
Saturday, November 2nd
11am Louise Rogers’ Jazzy for Kids Jazz for Young Children aged 2-6 and their families.
1pm Noah Bless & Latin Soul Party Supported by a Creative Engagment Grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
2:15pm The Chidi Trio
3:30pm Shareef Clayton & Friends
4:45pm The Steve Slagle Quartet
6pm The Manuel Valera Trio
7:30pm Meg Okura: Reharmonizing Identity. Jazz Composition Competition 2024 winner.
8:50pm Vanisha Gould
10:10pm Rachel Therrien’s Latin Jazz Project
Sunday, November 3rd
12-2pm Jazz Brunch with StringJazz Trio of WaHi – Le Creparis FREE
3-4pm Nicki Adams and Michael Eaton – The Lounge at Hudson View Gardens
5-7pm Latin Jazz Party with Tres Gatos – Dutch Baby Bakery FREE
(All Saturday events are ticketed and will be held at Le Cheile.)
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