This Summer, the Jamaica Center For Arts And Learning (JCAL)—Queens’ premier hub for the visual and performing arts—will present the return of the Downtown Jamaica Riddim & Jazz Festival, its annual outdoor celebration of music, culture, and community. Now in its fourth year, the festival has become a cornerstone of cultural and live entertainment in the Southeast Queens community—serving as a vibrant gathering point that connects artists and audiences through a diverse, genre-spanning lineup of jazz, soul, salsa, and global sounds. Taking place on the historic grounds of Rufus King Park on Saturday, July 25, at 6 PM, the festival is free and open to the public and audiences of all ages.
Bringing together a dynamic lineup of acclaimed performers alongside emerging and mid-career artists, this year’s Downtown Jamaica Riddim & Jazz Festival will be headlined by the legendary Branford Marsalis Quartet. A three-time GRAMMY Award winner and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, New Orleans-born Branford Marsalis is a world-renowned saxophonist, composer, and bandleader recognized as a leading force in modern jazz. Formed in 1986, the Branford Marsalis Quartet continues to set the standard, celebrated for its extraordinary range and enduring influence across the genre.
Building on two of JCAL’s signature programs—Riddim Section and Thursday Night Jazz—the festival serves as a culminating moment that reflects the depth and diversity of its year-round work. It also reflects the organization’s ongoing effort to broaden the reach of its programming and deepen its connection to the community.
“Each year, the Downtown Jamaica Riddim & Jazz Festival continues to grow in both scope and intention, deepening our commitment to presenting artists across genres while expanding access to high-quality live music and creating space for meaningful connection,” said Courtney French, Artistic Director of JCAL. “At its core, the festival brings different musical traditions and audiences together in a shared cultural setting. Welcoming the Branford Marsalis Quartet this year underscores that vision—connecting one of the most respected ensembles in jazz while expanding what audiences can experience right here in Southeast Queens.”
Bringing together a dynamic lineup of acclaimed performers alongside emerging and mid-career artists, this year’s Downtown Jamaica Riddim & Jazz Festival will be headlined by the legendary Branford Marsalis Quartet. A three-time GRAMMY Award winner and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, New Orleans-born Branford Marsalis is a world-renowned saxophonist, composer, and bandleader recognized as a leading force in modern jazz. Formed in 1986, the Branford Marsalis Quartet continues to set the standard, celebrated for its extraordinary range and enduring influence across the genre.
Building on two of JCAL’s signature programs—Riddim Section and Thursday Night Jazz—the festival serves as a culminating moment that reflects the depth and diversity of its year-round work. It also reflects the organization’s ongoing effort to broaden the reach of its programming and deepen its connection to the community.
“Each year, the Downtown Jamaica Riddim & Jazz Festival continues to grow in both scope and intention, deepening our commitment to presenting artists across genres while expanding access to high-quality live music and creating space for meaningful connection,” said Courtney French, Artistic Director of JCAL. “At its core, the festival brings different musical traditions and audiences together in a shared cultural setting. Welcoming the Branford Marsalis Quartet this year underscores that vision—connecting one of the most respected ensembles in jazz while expanding what audiences can experience right here in Southeast Queens.”
