It is the luminosity of vocalist Alexis Tantau that lifts the music to the proverbial heights of perfection.
—Raul Da Gama
The Chesapeake Bay and an historic city nestled along its shores form the perfect back drop for the Annapolis Jazz & Roots Festival held weekends November 7-16. Now in its fourth year, the musical feast was founded in the maritime neighborhood of Eastport. In 2025, the festival extends to surrounding areas and includes eight venues. Most events are free; two require admission. Reservations are strongly advised for all events.
This year’s theme is “World Travelers & Hometown Heroes." Events celebrate the accomplishments of musicians, dancers, visual artists and others who have left an indelible mark on the map of Maryland's cultural landscape. Some iconic figures, such as musician Eva Cassidy and Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble founder Eileen Carson Schatz, are no longer with us, but left powerful and inspiring legacies around the globe. International and regional artists will help us tell their stories.
On Saturday, view “Sacred Spaces,” an exhibition featuring paintings and mixed media art by Jabari Jefferson at Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. At 1:00 p.m., he’ll take part in an interview and discussion with his musician father, well known Washington, D.C. drummer J.C. Jefferson. The topic: how music can inspire art! At 2:00 p.m., the J.C. Jefferson Quartet will salute incomparable producer, composer, director and musician Quincy Jones, one year after his passing.
Sunday affords rejuvenation. Get your groove back with soulful funk and rock trio Michael McHenry Tribe. They’ll appear at Pip Moyer Recreation Center from 3-5:00 PM. McHenry has worked with names like The Jacksons, Sheena Easton, George Clinton/P. Funk and La Toya Jackson.
Saturday events begin at 11:00 a.m. Since the first year of the festival, morning concerts and lectures have been hugely popular. Held at Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, this one features the Edward Hrybyk Trio in an intriguing concert titled “Bass Traditions: Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford and More.” Hrybyk has been a leading figure on the Baltimore jazz scene, receiving many honors as a teacher, bandleader and event producer. Listen to some amazing jazz and bring curiosity and ideas to the Q & A held afterward.
Catch an amazing concert at 3:00 p.m. the same day at Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, a venue situated in a tapestry of trees. Enjoy the atmosphere as Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble offers the best in Americana in song and dance. The event pays tribute to the late dancer and choreographer, Footworks founder Eileen Carson Schatz. With help from former dancers and current Music Director Mark Schatz, she took traditional music and dance forms to great performance heights, finding international acclaim in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Germany and Japan. Schatz has worked extensively with such artists as Bella Fleck and Nickel Creek along with Emmy Lou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
The festival ends on Sunday, November 16 with afternoon and evening events. At 3:00 p.m. when The Freedom Choir performs a world music program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Stellar acoustics will amplify the inspiring sounds of a community choir. It’s led by Elizabeth Melvin, another Hometown Hero whose stellar musical career as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, bandleader and choir director spans decades and crosses genres from jazz to world to folk styles.
The grand finale concert at 7:00 p.m. features the Joshua Redman Quartet. With his latest Blue Note album, Words Fall Short, Joshua Redman unveils a powerful new chapter in his storied career, supported by an astonishing band. Tickets are $25-$85. Purchase directly from the venue, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
Annapolis Jazz & Roots was founded in 2021 by Paula (Paulina) Phillips and Theresa Sise. The organization aims to foster an appreciation for cultural diversity and artistic excellence in a cordial and inviting atmosphere by offering inspiring educational and fun activities to people of many ages, interests and backgrounds. AJRF works with government, businesses and non-profit organizations to amplify the effects of existing programs and services and improve public access. The Advisory Board includes Kristoffer Belgica, Anne Heald, Eric Peltosalo, Todd Powell, Theresa Sise, Della Sztuk and Executive Director Paula Phillips.
This year’s theme is “World Travelers & Hometown Heroes." Events celebrate the accomplishments of musicians, dancers, visual artists and others who have left an indelible mark on the map of Maryland's cultural landscape. Some iconic figures, such as musician Eva Cassidy and Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble founder Eileen Carson Schatz, are no longer with us, but left powerful and inspiring legacies around the globe. International and regional artists will help us tell their stories.
Weekend One
Opening Night on November 7 will be held at Peerless Rens, an historic Black social club in Eastport. The Tribute to Eva Cassidy features Alexis Tantau and Letitia VanSant with Rusty Sal. Tantau is the vocalist best known for putting Hot Club of Baltimore on the map. Reviewing one of many recordings she made with that group, Raul da Gama penned, “it is the luminosity of vocalist Alexis Tantau that lifts the music to the proverbial heights of perfection." Tantau and the other Baltimore based, genre crossing musicians joining her on Opening Night have been heard in many North American and European countries, receiving considerable critical praise for recordings and live performance. Attend shows at 6:00 p.m. or 8:00 p.m. Light meals and drinks will be on sale. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door.On Saturday, view “Sacred Spaces,” an exhibition featuring paintings and mixed media art by Jabari Jefferson at Banneker-Douglass-Tubman Museum. At 1:00 p.m., he’ll take part in an interview and discussion with his musician father, well known Washington, D.C. drummer J.C. Jefferson. The topic: how music can inspire art! At 2:00 p.m., the J.C. Jefferson Quartet will salute incomparable producer, composer, director and musician Quincy Jones, one year after his passing.
Sunday affords rejuvenation. Get your groove back with soulful funk and rock trio Michael McHenry Tribe. They’ll appear at Pip Moyer Recreation Center from 3-5:00 PM. McHenry has worked with names like The Jacksons, Sheena Easton, George Clinton/P. Funk and La Toya Jackson.
Weekend Two
Weekend Two kicks off on Friday, November 14 with Unified Jazz Ensemble, a group that settled in Annapolis after a decade of national touring. Join them as they revisit the days when jazz conquered the nation via radio, television, film and live performance. Enjoy the priceless sounds of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman in spacious and beautiful Eastport U.M. Church at 7:00 p.m. Attendees are welcome to come dressed in the styles of clothing worn in the jazz heydays of the 1920s-1940s.Saturday events begin at 11:00 a.m. Since the first year of the festival, morning concerts and lectures have been hugely popular. Held at Eastport-Annapolis Neck Library, this one features the Edward Hrybyk Trio in an intriguing concert titled “Bass Traditions: Charles Mingus, Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford and More.” Hrybyk has been a leading figure on the Baltimore jazz scene, receiving many honors as a teacher, bandleader and event producer. Listen to some amazing jazz and bring curiosity and ideas to the Q & A held afterward.
Catch an amazing concert at 3:00 p.m. the same day at Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, a venue situated in a tapestry of trees. Enjoy the atmosphere as Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble offers the best in Americana in song and dance. The event pays tribute to the late dancer and choreographer, Footworks founder Eileen Carson Schatz. With help from former dancers and current Music Director Mark Schatz, she took traditional music and dance forms to great performance heights, finding international acclaim in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Germany and Japan. Schatz has worked extensively with such artists as Bella Fleck and Nickel Creek along with Emmy Lou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
The festival ends on Sunday, November 16 with afternoon and evening events. At 3:00 p.m. when The Freedom Choir performs a world music program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Stellar acoustics will amplify the inspiring sounds of a community choir. It’s led by Elizabeth Melvin, another Hometown Hero whose stellar musical career as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, bandleader and choir director spans decades and crosses genres from jazz to world to folk styles.
The grand finale concert at 7:00 p.m. features the Joshua Redman Quartet. With his latest Blue Note album, Words Fall Short, Joshua Redman unveils a powerful new chapter in his storied career, supported by an astonishing band. Tickets are $25-$85. Purchase directly from the venue, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.
Funding
Annapolis Jazz & Roots is an affiliate under the umbrella of the Annapolis Community Foundation. AJRF is grateful for support from the Maryland State Arts Council, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, Art in Public Places Commission, Anne Arundel County Public Library & Foundation and in-kind contributors KSP Communications and Jazz Beyond Borders. Visit our website for information about artists, music and venues.Annapolis Jazz & Roots was founded in 2021 by Paula (Paulina) Phillips and Theresa Sise. The organization aims to foster an appreciation for cultural diversity and artistic excellence in a cordial and inviting atmosphere by offering inspiring educational and fun activities to people of many ages, interests and backgrounds. AJRF works with government, businesses and non-profit organizations to amplify the effects of existing programs and services and improve public access. The Advisory Board includes Kristoffer Belgica, Anne Heald, Eric Peltosalo, Todd Powell, Theresa Sise, Della Sztuk and Executive Director Paula Phillips.
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For more information contact Jazz Beyond Borders.
