Kicking off a weekend of must-see performances along the Potomac at The District Wharf
The DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is thrilled to announce two genre-defying artists—Lalah Hathaway and Matthew Whitaker—as headliners for the kickoff concert of DC JazzFest ’25 at The District Wharf. Taking the stage at The Anthem on Friday, August 29, Hathaway will deliver her signature contralto sound—a seamless blend of R&B power, vocal jazz finesse, and a neo-soul-meets-gospel warmth that promises to lift the roof. Joining her is virtuoso keyboardist Matthew Whitaker, whose soulful improvisations channel the spirit of greats like Jimmy Smith, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Herbie Hancock, and Chick Corea. Together, Hathaway and Whitaker set the tone for an unforgettable opening night at The Anthem.
Tickets for DC JazzFest at The Anthem can be found here.
A singer-songwriter of the first magnitude, Lalah Hathaway has been called the “First Daughter of Soul,” as the first-born daughter of the late soul singer and everlasting DC favorite Donny Hathaway. Since her 1990 self-titled debut album, her subsequent collaborations with greats like keyboardist Joe Sample and her #1 single “Forever, for Always, for Love,” Hathaway has charmed and captivated audiences worldwide with her soulful depth of voice and versatile expressions. She has garnered three Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Album, for her Lalah Hathaway Live album. Known for her rich contralto voice, complex phrasing and vocal that mirror instrumental jazz solos, Hathaway often uses vocal layering and multi-tonal techniques showcasing jazz improvisation. She has performed with top-tier jazz artists such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Robert Glasper.
Keyboardist Matthew Whitaker has been a prodigy from age 10, when he was the opening performer for Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. He has since performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and numerous festival appearances. Blind since birth, Whitaker was one of the stars of the “virtual” pandemic-year DC JazzFest 2020 broadcast. That same year, he was profiled on CBS’ “60 Minutes” and has subsequently been in global demand, with tours of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
"We know our audience will be beyond thrilled by what promises to be an incredible evening at The Anthem. Lalah Hathaway and Matthew Whitaker truly embody the spirit of musical and stylistic crossover that has come to exemplify so much of our 21st century musical landscape. Be ready for an exceptional evening at The Anthem,” said Sunny Sumter, DCJF President and CEO.
“DC JazzFest will deliver an extraordinary experience showcasing the unifying power of music,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “Featuring a stellar lineup of renowned and emerging talent, this year’s festival highlights Washington DC’s status as the global arts capital. We look forward to welcoming music lovers from near and far for what promises to be an unforgettable celebration.”
DC JazzFest at The Wharf is the festival’s signature culminating event on Labor Day Weekend, August 29th to August 31st! This multi-stage, tentpole blowout will be hosted at District Wharf, a waterfront destination with an enticing assemblage of restaurants, artful shops, and incredible river views, with indoor performances at The Anthem, Union Stage and Arena Stage. The largest jazz festival in the Mid-Atlantic region, the 2025 DC JazzFest will feature an extraordinary lineup of artists, citywide, August 27th to August 31st.
The 2025 DC JazzFest Lineup, to date, includes:
Lalah Hathaway; Matthew Whitaker; jazz masters Ron Carter, Branford Marsalis, Gary Bartz, the music of Latin jazz giant Eddie Palmieri and Marshall Allen with the Sun Ra Arkestra; bassist and broadcaster Marcus Miller; guitar trailblazer John Scofield; a veritable state of jazz vocal artistry with Cécile McLorin Salvant, Jazzmeia Horn, Vanessa Rubin, Allan Harris, 2025 Grammy nominee Christie Dashiell, and Akua Allrich; perpetual audience fave Emmet Cohen; tenor man Paul Carr; the JazzDC Orchestra led by Allyn Johnson with special guest saxophonist-composer Steve Wilson; DCJF 2025 artist-in-residence Corcoran Holt leading an all-star band; the 2025 DCJazzPrix emerging jazz band competition finals; and much more.
For more information about the 2025 DC JazzFest, August 27th to August 31st, including concert updates and ticketing information, visit www.dcjazzfest.org.
