City of Alexandria to Host 39th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival (RELOCATED)

UPDATE, May 29, 2016: Due to inclement weather, the Memorial Day Jazz Festival will be held in the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St., in the Kauffman Auditorium. The program will proceed as scheduled, from 1 to 6 p.m., and food truck vendors will be available for concessions.

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For Immediate Release: May 18, 2016

The City of Alexandria invites the public to the 39th Annual Memorial Day Jazz Festival on Monday, May 30, beginning at 1 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 1A Prince St.  Admission is free.

The Jazz Festival will feature a variety of talented musicians and diverse styles of jazz throughout the day, including:

• 1 p.m. – U. S. Navy Commodores
  The U. S. Navy Commodores, the Navy’s premiere jazz ensemble, a specialty unit of the United States Navy Band in Washington, D. C.  This 18 piece ensemble, comprised of the Navy’s top jazz and “big band” musicians, performs an eclectic mix of traditional big band music, exciting jazz vocal arrangements as well as fresh new instrumental music written specifically for the Commodores of today.  
  
• 2 p.m. – Rose Moraes
  Rose Moraes, specializing in Brazilian jazz, has opened for Diana Ross at BET "Walk of Fame" in Washington DC ; performed at the Library of Congress; The National Zoo; and brings the soul of Brazilian music to the world.  Born in Brazil, she has performed in Switzerland, Poland, Brazil and the U. S.
  
• 3 p.m. – Dave Kline
  The Dave Kline Band, a four piece ensemble featuring world jazz, is recognized for its vibrant world sound, and highlights its contemporary vibe with the ancient cultures of Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Latin America. With high-energy, all original instrumentals, the combustion creates a deep emotional impact with the audience. 
  
• 4 p.m. – Al Williams
  Al Williams, the incomparable sax and flute man, featuring contemporary jazz.  Al is an Alexandria favorite and 4 time WAMMIE Award winner, including Best Jazz Instrumentalist.  Al has appeared at many jazz festivals around the world and at the Alexandria Memorial Day Jazz Festival for several years.
  
• 5 p.m. – Nitehawks
  The Nitehawks, an 18-piece big band, has been entertaining audiences in the Washington, D.C., metro area for 20 years, with a broad repertoire of jazz, swing, Latin, rock, show tunes, and vocal classics spanning the ages – from the early big band era through to present day.  
  

Waterfront Park features lawn seating. Festival attendees may bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food, such as pulled chicken sandwiches, ribs, fried fish, hot dogs, chicken teriyaki, fried rice, egg rolls and snow cones are available for purchase, but everyone is welcome to pack a picnic dinner. Attendees are asked to refrain from smoking at this event, and pets should be left at home.

Visitors to the historic district are encouraged to take the Metro Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station in Old Town and take the King Street Trolley, take DASH or Metro Buses, or park in one of the convenient parking garages or lots. For DASH schedule information, call 703.370.DASH or visit www.dashbus.com.  For Metrobus schedule information, call 202.637.7000 or visit www.wmata.com. 

In case of inclement weather, the festival will be relocated to the Lee Center Kauffman Auditorium, 1108 Jefferson St. For more information, call the Special Events Hotline at 703.746.5592 or the Special Events Office at 703.746.5418.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, contact Cheryl Lawrence, Regional Program Director, at 703.746.5419 (VA Relay 711) or e-mail cheryl.lawrence@alexandriava.gov.