Jazz in The Parks: Washington Bach Consort and Brandon Woody

The region’s most acclaimed jazz musicians are returning to the ever-popular Jazz in The Parks on the Great Lawn this summer! Bring your neighbors and friends for the city’s favorite laid-back summer evenings – listed by magazine as one of the area’s top five outdoor spots to listen to live music just last year! Bring your own picnic, blanket and refreshments, and enjoy popular local food vendors and giveaways, including some delicious Atlantic Barbeque! Stop by the wonderful restaurants around the Marketplace, just a block away up 12th Street. Pick up charcuterie (or a pizza!) at Whole Foods, or amazing chicken or noodles from JINYA Ramen Bar. Everything works well for takeout!

The events start at 5 pm with a children’s performer (get ready to dance!), followed at 6 pm by the headliners.

Dates:

• June 14: Jazz in The Parks & Blues Alley Present The Blues Alley Youth Quartet followed by Herm Hopkins Soul Quartet with opener Baba Ras D
• July 12: Jazz in The Parks presents and headliner Brandon Woody
• August 23: Jazz in The Parks and The Sonic Lifeline present the Fran Vielma Pan American Orchestra with opener Mr. Rob
• September 13: Jazz in The Parks presents Rochelle Rice with opener Mr. Rob

See below for more information on each artist!

Location: The Great Lawn is located at the center of the campus. Enter from 16th Street NW, or enter from Georgia Avenue at Butternut Street NW, and follow Main Drive around to the grassy area. 1301 Main Drive NW.

How to Get There: Parking is limited on campus, so walking, scooting, biking, buses, and trains are recommended. The Parks at Walter Reed is a 12-minute walk from the Takoma Metrorail Station on the Red Line, and more than a dozen bus lines run up 16th Street NW and Georgia Avenue NW. Bike parking is available on campus. Some parking is available in on-street spots; please follow the signage.

Free community events at The Parks at Walter Reed are made possible by our generous sponsors: Bozzuto Construction, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company DC, Oakridge Landscaping, Range Construction, Saul Ewing, Feldman Ruel, Wiles Mensch.

About the artists:

July 12, 2025

No kids opener for this event. Join us for a double header featuring the Washington Bach Consort followed by Blue Note recording artist Brandon Woody.

The Washington Bach Consort is a nationally preeminent vocal and period-instrument ensemble based in Washington, DC. While the group is especially renowned for its historically informed performances of 18th-century music on period instruments, the entire breadth of its offerings spans the 14th to the 19th centuries. The Consort has also made regular appearances alongside prestigious groups such as the National Symphony Orchestra, the Post-Classical Ensemble, Washington Performing Arts, and the Washington Cathedral Choral Society

Trumpeter and composer Brandon Woody was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, and started his musical journey at the age of 7. Since then, Woody has gone on to become an international artist, performing with his band Upendo, curating projects for major museums, film scoring, collaborating with brands, teaching, and performing at major venues and institutions around the globe. Woody uses music as a tool for healing, genuine connection, and celebrating community.

Woody formed his longtime band Upendo in 2017 while still in school as a vehicle to perform his own original compositions. A modern jazz juggernaut, Upendo is a multi-generational and expandable group that features a core quartet of pianist Troy Long, bassist Michael Saunders, and drummer Quincy Phillips.

His debut album “For The Love Of It All” was released on May 9th, on Blue Note Records.

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