This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
A two-time Grammy Award winner, a 2024 Grammy nominee, and this year’s NPR Tiny Desk sensations are among the stars of the 32nd Annual Rosslyn Jazz Fest, taking place on Saturday, September 7 from 1-7 p.m. at Gateway Park, 1300 Langston Boulevard, in Arlington, Virginia.
globalFEST and Tiny Desk break-out stars El Laberinto Del Coco come directly from Puerto Rico with their unique blend of jazz improvisation with the insistent and irresistible Bomba rhythm. Led by former D.C.-based percussionist Hector Barez of Bio Ritmo, the band features Puerto Rico’s legendary trumpeter and vocalist Jerry Medina, known for his work with salsa icons such as Eddie Palmieri, Ismael Miranda, and Tito Puente.
“Laberinto De Coco makes tradition both fun and important,” says Felix Contreras, co-host of NPR Music’s Alt. Latino. “Your hips move while your soul is enriched with history and joy!”
The stellar lineup continues with New Orleans’ 2024 Grammy nominees, The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux, Jr. (formerly of the multi-Grammy nominated Cha Wa); the Gullah-jazz roots music of two-time Grammy winners Ranky Tank; and D.C. singer-songwriter Cecily. This diverse lineup of innovative heavy hitters will have you on your feet all day long! Read more about the artists below, and click here to sample the Spotify playlist.
Now in its 32nd year, Rosslyn Jazz Fest has become a staple in Arlington’s cultural calendar, attracting attendees from near and far. As Arlington’s largest free outdoor music festival, it offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience innovative artists who infuse inspiration from many cultures in an expression of the area’s diversity. The event is co-presented by the Rosslyn Business Improvement District (BID) and Arlington Arts.
Rosslyn Jazz Fest is FREE and registration is not required, but encouraged as there are capacity limits at Gateway Park. To register for Rosslyn Jazz Fest on Saturday, September 7, click here!
About the Artists
Cecily (1 p.m.)
D.C.-based vocalist and songwriter Cecily, (pronounced ses-suh-lee), is known for her agile soprano and honest lyrics. Her sound, as soothing as it is rich, is rooted in a deep appreciation for mid-century soul and jazz, 90s R&B, and re-imagined folk music. Her debut album Songs of Love and Freedom garnered her a 2019 Wammie Award for Best Soul Album and was named “Best New Soul on Bandcamp” by the Bandcamp editorial team, who described the project as “stirringly timeless and modern.”
Ranky Tanky (2:20 p.m.)
This two-time Grammy award-winning Charleston, SC-based quintet performs timeless music born from the Gullah culture of the southeastern Sea Islands. Their debut album was featured on NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross and the TODAY Show. It also soared to the #1 position on the Billboard, Amazon and iTunes Jazz Charts. Playful game songs, ecstatic shouts and heartbreaking spirituals can all be found on their latest release Good Time, which also offers the group’s first original songs inspired by Gullah tradition.
The Rumble (3:45 p.m.)
This 2024 Grammy-nominated band (“Best Regional Roots Album”) was created in 2021 by seven members of the multi-Grammy-nominated band Cha Wa. After its mass exodus, the collective vowed to both preserve and further a musical vision that blends New Orleans culture from the past, present and future. Fronted by Second Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. of the legendary Golden Eagles Indian tribe, The Rumble boasts some of the next generation’s most prolific artists.
El Laberinto Del Coco (5:30 p.m.)
Fresh from their appearance on NPR’s Tiny Desk, 2024 looks to be the year of El Laberinto del Coco — a dynamic Bomba Fusion band hailing from Puerto Rico with roots in Washington, D.C. Combining traditional Afro-Puerto Rican rhythms with contemporary genres, the band recently tore the roof off Lincoln Center as the explosive headliner for the prestigious annual globalFEST showcase in New York. “With their sprawling presentation and big, percussion driven sound […they] had the crowd in rapture,” exclaimed Afropop Worldwide magazine, calling them a “…fitting finale for what is now New York’s premier global music showcase.” Since their 2017 founding by former D.C. percussionist Hector Barez, El Laberinto del Coco has released a critically acclaimed self-titled album, an EP entitled El Laberinto del Coco Virtual, and six new singles. This fast-rising ensemble has captivated audiences at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage in Washington, D.C.; SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas; globalFEST at Lincoln Center; Drom NYC; and Chicago’s Summer Concert Series at Millennium Park, among others.
