Celebrate Music and Culture at the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival This November

Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival Returns

The Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival is set to make a splash this November, bringing a vibrant mix of music and arts to one of Maryland's most historic cities, Annapolis. Spanning from November 7 to 16, the festival is now in its fourth year and is known for celebrating the rich cultural landscape of the area.

Nestled along the beautiful Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis offers the perfect backdrop for this exciting event. What began in the maritime neighborhood of Eastport has now expanded to include eight venues in the surrounding areas, allowing for a wider audience to indulge in this artistic feast. Most of the festival events are free, with only two requiring admission, making it accessible to all music lovers.

Festival Highlights

This year’s theme, "World Travelers Hometown Heroes," recognizes the achievements of musicians, dancers, and visual artists who have significantly contributed to Maryland’s cultural identity. Iconic figures such as the late Eva Cassidy and Eileen Carson Schatz, the founder of the Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble, will be honored. Despite their absence, their legacies continue to inspire new generations of artists.

Weekend One

The festival opens on November 7 at Peerless Rens, a historic Black social club in Eastport, for a special Tribute to Eva Cassidy featuring acclaimed musicians Alexis Tantau and Letitia VanSant. With their genre-crossing styles, these Baltimore-based artists have made waves both nationally and abroad.

On Saturday, attendees can look forward to an art exhibition titled "Sacred Spaces," featuring the works of Jabari Jefferson at the Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. Later in the day, the J.C. Jefferson Quartet will pay tribute to the legendary Quincy Jones.

Finish off the weekend with a performance by the Michael McHenry Tribe, a high-energy trio renowned for their funk and rock style, at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center on Sunday.

Weekend Two

The excitement continues into the second weekend, starting with the Unified Jazz Ensemble on November 14, who will take audiences on a nostalgic journey through the jazz greats of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman at the Eastport U.M. Church. Don your best 1920s to 1940s jazz attire to fully embrace the era!

The popular morning concerts and lectures return on Saturday at the Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, featuring the Ed Hrybyk Trio. Their show, titled "Bass Traditions: Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford and More," promises to offer attendees a deeper understanding of jazz through discussion and performance.

On Saturday afternoon, the Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble will deliver a dazzling performance that honors the contributions of Eileen Carson Schatz, showcasing traditional American music and dance.

The weekend will conclude with the stirring sounds of The Freedom Choir at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on Sunday, followed by the grand finale led by jazz maestro Joshua Redman performing his latest work, Words Fall Short, from his label, Blue Note. This highly anticipated performance will complement the festival perfectly, highlighting the festival's spirit.

Don’t miss out; tickets for the finale are priced between $25 and $85 and can be purchased through the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

The Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival is grateful for the generous support it receives from various organizations, including the Maryland State Arts Council and the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County. As the festival retains its roots in community involvement and cultural celebration, attendees can expect an unforgettable experience filled with art, music, and inspiration.

For more details on artists, schedules, and venue information, visit the official festival website.