The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is set to launch the “Hip Hop &” Series, a new annual season focusing on hip hop’s influence across various genres and disciplines. The inaugural event, the Hip Hop & Jazz Festival, spans from March 27 to April 19, 2024, showcasing the dynamic interplay between hip-hop and jazz.
The festival begins with a unique Hip-Hop Listening Session on March 27 at the Club at Studio K, delving into the connection between hip-hop and jazz. The lineup features diverse panelists, including DJ Raydar Ellis, Paige Hernandez, and Igmar Thomas.
Igmar Thomas’s Revive Big Band will perform at Studio K on March 29. This ensemble, which has collaborated with a host of renowned artists and earned critical acclaim worldwide, offers a fusion of jazz, hip-hop, funk, soul, blues, and gospel.
Highlighting the festival is the special event “Black Radio: A Duke x Dilla Celebration” on March 30 in the Concert Hall. Five-time Grammy Award® winner Robert Glasper and two-time Grammy Award® winner Derrick Hodge will lead a tribute to Duke Ellington and J Dilla. The night concludes with an afterparty featuring Karriem Riggins at Studio K.
On April 19, the Concert Hall will host The Rakim & DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ravi Coltrane Project, produced by Jill Newman Productions. This collaboration brings together iconic talents in a unique musical fusion.
Simone Eccleston, Director of Hip-Hop Culture and Contemporary Music, expressed enthusiasm for the festival’s focus on the synergy between hip-hop and jazz and their transformative role in global culture.
Tickets for the festival are available on the Kennedy Center website or by calling (202) 467-4600.
The Hip Hop & Jazz Festival is dedicated to Meghan Stabile, the visionary concert producer and founder of Revive Music Group. Stabile’s legacy continues to influence contemporary jazz and the music industry.
Please visit the Kennedy Center website for more information on event listings and other related activities.
