Get ready to swing to the smooth, jazz rhythms in downtown Silver Spring come September 6, as the Silver Spring Jazz Festival rolls out its mats at Veterans Plaza. This all-day affair, running from 3 p.m. to a toe-tapping 10 p.m., is set to showcase a medley of jazz flavors across two stages – from samba beats and straight-ahead jazz to New Orleans-style brass and funk-infused go-go.
The festival bursts into life with Trio Caliente on the Second Stage at 3 p.m., bringing their brand of samba and Brazilian jazz to spirited attendees. And if toe-tapping and shoulder-shaking weren't enough, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band is slated as the festival's crown jewel, according to Montgomery County's announcement. The legendary group, with its New Orleans jazz authenticity, will hit the First Stage at 8:30 p.m.
No need to worry about monotony, the two-stage setting at Veterans Plaza lets you skip from one performance to another with minimal downtime, making sure every jazzy moment counts. For the grassroots jazz fans, The JoGo Project injects the local D.C. flavor with a dash of go-go into jazz at 3:30 p.m. As the clock ticks closer to evening, the First Stage will welcome The Paul Carr Quintet at 5 p.m., with Carr's commitment to the art shining through his polished sound and mentoring initiatives for young musicians.
The Clara Campbell Quintet, led by the recent winner of the 2025 Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition, takes center stage at 5:50 p.m. Campbell's ensemble promises a concoction of technical prowess and emotional depth wrapped in the cozy embrace of jazz standards – certainly one not to miss. Before the night caps off with a bang courtesy of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Oh He Dead will serve up their infectious blend of soul and rock with a dash of jazz at 7 p.m. – a surefire way to keep energy levels sky-high.
