Bass Legends Converge: Marcus Miller Headlines Star-Studded Low-End Lineup at DC JazzFest 2025

The 2025 DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is shaping up to be a bassist’s dream, with a powerhouse lineup that reads like a who’s who of legendary four-string masters. Leading the charge is none other than Marcus Miller, the iconic bassist, composer, and producer whose groundbreaking work has shaped the sound of contemporary jazz and R&B for decades.

Miller, a two-time GRAMMY winner, brings his extraordinary band to DC JazzFest at The Wharf on Saturday, August 30, promising to deliver the kind of electrifying performance that has made him one of the most sought-after bassists in the world. His resume speaks volumes—from producing Miles Davis’ acclaimed “Tutu” album to co-writing hits like “Power of Love/Love Power” and “Jump To It,” Miller has left an indelible mark on music history. His collaborations span an incredible range, from jazz legends like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock to pop icons like Beyoncé, David Bowie, and Aretha Franklin.

“Marcus Miller is a singular force in modern music and a brilliant addition to our 2025 lineup,” said DCJF CEO Sunny Sumter. “We are thrilled to present his extraordinary artistry to DC audiences.”

But Miller won’t be the only bass virtuoso commanding attention at the festival. The event is unprecedented in its celebration of the instrument, featuring multiple generations of bass masters who have each contributed their own distinctive voice to jazz history.

Ron Carter, the Guinness Book of World Records designee as the most recorded bassist in music history, takes the Arena Stage on Sunday, August 31. As the 2024/2025 DC Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence and NEA Jazz Master, Carter’s presence adds immense gravitas to the lineup. While his incomparable profile was cemented as a member of Miles Davis’ legendary mid-60s “second great quintet” alongside Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, and Tony Williams, Carter’s contributions extend far beyond that iconic group. His work as a bandleader has been equally impressive, from his celebrated trio with the late guitarist Russell Malone to his innovative “Piccolo Quartet,” where he showcased his unique piccolo bass, and his ongoing big band projects.

The festival also spotlights rising talent with DC native Corcoran Holt, another 2024/2025 DC Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence, who shares the Arena Stage with Carter on August 31. A graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and current faculty member at Arizona State University, Holt represents the next generation of bass excellence. His impressive credits include tours and recordings with jazz pioneers and NEA Jazz Masters Jimmy Cobb, Benny Golson, Jimmy Heath, and Kenny Garrett. Remarkably, Holt’s musical journey began at age four with West African percussion instruments before he found his calling on the bass.

Beyond the bass spotlight, the 21st edition of DC JazzFest promises what Artistic Director Willard Jenkins calls “a stunning array of artistic expressions from a broad range of jazz and jazz-informed styles, representing the true 21st century state-of-the-artform.” The lineup includes NEA Jazz Masters Eddie Palmieri, Branford Marsalis, Gary Bartz, and Marshall Allen leading Sun Ra Arkestra, alongside acclaimed vocalists Lalah Hathaway and Cécile McLorin Salvant, plus John Scofield, Emmet Cohen, Matthew Whitaker, Keyon Harrold, The Baylor Project, The String Queens, and many more artists yet to be announced.

The festival will also celebrate the exceptional talent of the DMV’s jazz community, featuring local artists including Christie Dashiell, Paul Carr, Herb Scott, Akua Allrich, Todd Marcus, Charles Covington, Leigh Pilzer, Joshua Bayer, and the JazzDC Orchestra directed by Allyn Johnson.

For bass players and jazz enthusiasts alike, this year’s DC JazzFest represents a rare opportunity to witness multiple generations of bass mastery in one spectacular weekend. With legends like Miller and Carter sharing stages with rising stars like Holt, the festival promises to be both a celebration of the instrument’s rich history and a glimpse into its bright future.

2025 DC JazzFest at The Wharf, takes place August 27 – August 31, 2025 over Labor Day Weekend. Tickets are available now at dcjazzfest.org.

For a complete lineup and more information, visit the festival’s official website.