DC Jazz Festival

What DC Jazz Festival does

DC Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization founded in 2004 by jazz producer Charles Fishman and attorney Stephanie Peters, operating in Washington, DC. The organization produces the annual DC JazzFest (now in its 22nd edition for 2026), held over Labor Day weekend at The Wharf and across more than 20 venues spanning 12 DC neighborhoods, and has served more than 1.6 million people since inception with 100,000+ in annual audience reach. Its product portfolio spans the flagship DC JazzFest, the DCJazzPrix international emerging band competition (with a $15,000 grand prize), the Charles Fishman Embassy Series (cultural diplomacy concerts at foreign embassies), Night of Stars benefit concerts featuring artists such as Gregory Porter, DCJF Education programs (Jazzin' InSchool, Jazzin' AfterSchool, DC JazzBops), the Artist in Residence program, and Jazz 'n Families Fun Days in partnership with The Phillips Collection. Approximately 150 DC-based musicians are presented annually, with over 50% of programming offered free to the public.

The organization's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit mix combining ticket sales ($25 general admission through $895 Ultimate VIP packages), individual donations, a six-tier Circle of Friends membership program ($350 Patron through $25,000+ Chairman's Circle), corporate sponsorships (including Amazon, Washington Post, SiriusXM, and Destination DC), branded merchandise, and foundation and government grants from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the National Endowment for the Arts, Events DC, and major foundations including the Mellon Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, and others. Distribution occurs through the official website (the only authorized ticket channel), Ticketmaster for select events, venue box offices, and direct sponsorship outreach. Marketing leverages Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, email newsletters, media partnerships (Washington Post, WAMU, WHUR, WPFW), and a 50+ organization community partner network.

The organization is governed by a 30-member Board of Directors chaired by Peter M. Gillon, with Sunny Sumter serving as President & CEO and Willard Jenkins as Artistic Director. Operations are supported by 100+ annual community volunteers. There is no technology product, proprietary platform, or AI component to the business; the organization operates as a live events and education nonprofit with no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no private equity or venture capital ownership.

Name

DC Jazz Festival

Legal name

DC Jazz Festival

Website

https://dcjazzfest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DC Jazz Festival is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces the annual DC JazzFest across 20+ venues and 12 neighborhoods, drawing 100,000+ attendees annually, and runs year-round education, cultural diplomacy, and emerging artist programs funded by ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, and foundation and government grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Events and Cultural Programming

NAICS

Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71), Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713), Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Community Music & Dance Festivals (Non-Commercial/Local) (MPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Jazz festival
• Live music events
• Music education
• Arts nonprofit
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for DC JazzFest events at The Wharf, Arena Stage, Union Stage, and other venues. Ticket prices range from $25 to $895 for various experience levels including General Admission, VIP, Ultimate VIP, and Preferred Seating.
2. Individual Donations: Direct donations from individuals supporting the festival's education programs. Donation options include one-time or monthly recurring contributions at levels of $50, $100, $350, $1,000, or custom amounts. All donations support DCJF Education Programs.
3. Circle of Friends Membership: Annual membership program with multiple tiers providing benefits including VIP tickets, concert invitations, and recognition. Tiers range from Patron ($350-$999) through Chairman's Circle ($25,000+). Members receive complimentary tickets, VIP experiences, exclusive concert invites, and discounts.
4. Corporate Sponsorship: Sponsorship packages from corporations for DC JazzFest, Fishman Embassy Series, and DCJF Music Education. Benefits include brand recognition, marketing activations, and event access. Sponsorship opportunities are customizable and include annual, project-specific, and event-level options.
5. Merchandise Sales: Sales of official festival merchandise including t-shirts and other branded items through the DC Jazz Festival store.
6. Foundation and Government Grants: Funding from government entities including DC Commission on Arts and Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, and foundations including Mellon Foundation, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and others supporting festival operations and education programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

DC Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that produces the annual DC JazzFest and year-round jazz programming across Washington, DC. Its offerings include multi-venue citywide festival performances, an international emerging-jazz-band competition (DCJazzPrix), benefit concerts (Night of Stars), embassy-hosted cultural exchange concerts, and a portfolio of jazz education programs serving preK-12 students and lifelong learners. Revenue is generated through ticket sales, donations, memberships, corporate sponsorships, foundation and government grants, and merchandise.

Product overview

DC Jazz Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2004 that provides enriching jazz performances and programs. The organization operates a platform-plus-programs architecture centered around its flagship annual DC JazzFest festival, complemented by year-round programming through JazzDC and the Charles Fishman Embassy Series. Key products include DCJazzPrix (annual band competition), DCJF Education (featuring Jazzin' AfterSchool, Jazzin' InSchool, and DC JazzBops), Night of Stars benefit concerts, Jazz 'n Families Fun Days, Artist in Residence program, a merchandise store, and the Circle of Friends donor program. The portfolio spans festival events, education initiatives, cultural diplomacy through embassy partnerships, and community engagement across all eight DC wards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DCJazzPrix: International emerging jazz band competition launched in 2016, recognizing and supporting top jazz ensemble talent with annual finals and prize money.
• JazzDC
• Charles Fishman Embassy Series
• Jazzin' InSchool
• Jazzin' AfterSchool
• DC JazzBops
• Jazz 'n Families Fun Days
• Night of Stars

Products and services

• DC JazzFest The annual flagship jazz music festival featuring world-renowned artists, NEA Jazz Masters, GRAMMY winners, and emerging talent across multiple venues citywide, including The Wharf waterfront stages, Arena Stage, and Union Stage. Tickets range from $25 (General Admission) to $895 (Ultimate VIP).
• DCJazzPrix Annual international emerging jazz band competition with finalists competing for a $15,000 grand prize and a yearlong association with DCJF including business development services. Finals are held at Union Stage.
• Night of Stars Benefit concert featuring acclaimed jazz artists (e.g., Gregory Porter) at The Anthem, supporting the DC Jazz Festival's mission to enrich lives through music and education.
• Charles Fishman Embassy Series Year-round concert series held at various embassies in DC featuring emerging and established global jazz artists through international partnerships (e.g., Embassies of France, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea).
• DCJF Education Year-round free and affordable jazz learning opportunities for preK-12 students, teachers, families, and lifelong learners across the DC region. Includes in-school instruction (Jazzin' InSchool), after-school programs (Jazzin' AfterSchool, including guitar instruction with Ray Parker Jr. and The Les Paul Foundation), early childhood literacy-based jazz (DC JazzBops), and the Artist in Residence program.
• Jazz 'n Families Fun Days Free two-day event featuring dozens of live performances, art-making activities, and gallery talks, presented in partnership with The Phillips Collection.
• JazzDC Year-round platform that brings the festival spirit into DC communities, schools, embassies, and digital spaces through artist support, education, cultural diplomacy, and neighborhood programming across all eight wards.
• DC Jazz Festival Store Official e-commerce storefront selling branded festival merchandise such as the DCJF T-Shirt (Black) and other apparel.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1.6 million people served since 2005
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• The WharfcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Primary venue partner for DC JazzFest at The Wharf. The Wharf is DC's premier waterfront destination providing stages at 1001 7th Street SW along the Potomac River.
• Arena StagemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Major venue partner presenting festival performances. Arena Stage is one of DC's premier theater venues located in the Southwest Waterfront area.
• Union StagemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Venue partner for DCJazzPrix Finals and other festival performances. Located in The Wharf area.
• Embassy of FrancemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025International cultural partner hosting Embassy Series concerts featuring French jazz artists as part of the year-round programming.
• Embassy of SwitzerlandmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025International cultural partner for Embassy Series programming featuring Swiss jazz artists.
• Embassy of JapanmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025International cultural partner for Embassy Series presenting Japanese jazz artists.
• Embassy of the Republic of South KoreamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025International cultural partner for Embassy Series programming featuring Korean jazz artists.
• The Phillips CollectionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Cultural partner for Jazz 'n Families Fun Days, a free two-day event with dozens of live performances, art-making activities, and gallery talks.
• Duke Ellington School of the ArtsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DC public arts high school providing student performers and receiving education program support from DCJF. Alumni including Janelle Gill serve as Artists-in-Residence.
• Howard UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Historically Black university with acclaimed jazz program. Howard University alumni including Ekep Nkwelle (Afro Blue) participate in festival programming.
• Events DCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Official sports and entertainment authority for DC providing major funding and institutional support for festival operations.
• The Washington PostmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Media partner providing press coverage and promotional support for festival events and programming.
• SiriusXMmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Satellite radio partner providing promotional support and broadcast coverage for jazz programming.
• Destination DCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Official destination marketing organization for DC providing promotional support and helping position the festival as a key cultural attraction.
• DC Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025District's public school system partnering with DCJF Education programs to provide jazz education opportunities for students across all eight wards.
• KIPP DCmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Charter school network participating in DCJF Education programs including Jazzin' AfterSchool guitar instruction with support from Ray Parker Jr. and The Les Paul Foundation.
• WAMUmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025DC public radio station providing media coverage and promotional support for festival programming.
• WHURmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Howard University Radio providing media coverage and promotional support for jazz programming.
• WPFWmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025DC community radio station providing jazz programming and promotional support for festival events.
• Library of CongressmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025National cultural institution partnering through Jazz Scholar program and educational initiatives. DCJF Artistic Director Willard Jenkins served as 2025 Jazz Scholar.
• National Landing Business Improvement DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership for Jazz @ Met concert series bringing free jazz performances to Metropolitan Park in National Landing area.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SFJAZZ: San Francisco-based nonprofit jazz presenting organization with year-round concerts, education programs, and an annual festival. Closely comparable to DC Jazz Festival's JazzDC and Embassy Series year-round programming model with similar member/donor tiers.
• Monterey Jazz Festival: Founded in 1958, Monterey Jazz Festival is one of the longest-running jazz festivals in the world. It is a direct peer to DC Jazz Festival, operating an annual multi-stage jazz festival with education programs and similar nonprofit/community presenting model.
• Detroit Jazz Festival: Free annual jazz festival in Detroit operated by a nonprofit organization. Directly comparable to DC Jazz Festival as a multi-stage citywide jazz festival with year-round education programs and similar sponsorship/donor funding model.
• Playboy Jazz Festival: Long-running annual jazz festival held at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Directly comparable as a major multi-day jazz festival featuring Grammy-winning and NEA Jazz Masters artists, operating with corporate sponsorship structures similar to DC JazzFest.
• New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival: Massive annual music festival presented by the nonprofit New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. Comparable as a major nonprofit music festival with education programming, though significantly larger in scale than DC JazzFest.
• Newport Jazz Festival: Historic American jazz festival presented by Newport Festivals Foundation, a nonprofit. Directly comparable to DC Jazz Festival in being an annual multi-day jazz festival with education initiatives and a similar artist presentation model.
• Chicago Jazz Festival: Free annual citywide jazz festival in Chicago produced by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Directly comparable as a free multi-venue civic jazz festival with nonprofit presentation partnerships and citywide footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Hall: Iconic New York-based nonprofit performing arts venue with significant jazz programming and education initiatives. Comparable as an established nonprofit performing arts organization with a member/donor support structure similar to DC Jazz Festival's Circle of Friends program.
• Kennedy Center: National performing arts center in Washington, DC with extensive jazz programming including KC Jazz Club. Compares as a much larger DC-based performing arts institution that competes for the same donor, sponsor, and government funding pools as DC Jazz Festival.

Regional players

• North Sea Jazz Festival: Major annual jazz festival held in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Operates a comparable multi-stage festival model but serves European audiences rather than competing directly in DC's market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dcjazzfest
• Facebookfacebook.com/dcjazzfest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dc-jazz-festival
• Instagraminstagram.com/dcjazzfest
• TikToktiktok.com/@dcjazzfest
• Xx.com/dcjazzfest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DC Jazz Festival