13-Time GRAMMY® Winner Chucho Valdés to Headline 20th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7

Chucho Valdés

Montgomery County’s Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District has announced that the quartet of Afro-Cuban jazz legend Chucho Valdés will headline the free 20th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival on Saturday, Sept. 7. Mr. Valdés—known as a pianist, bandleader, composer and arranger—has won seven GRAMMY Awards, six Latin GRAMMY Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

The festival will run from 3-10 p.m. at Veteran’s Plaza, located at One Veterans Place in Silver Spring. The Chucho Valdés Quartet is scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m.

“The 20th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival is one of our County’s most popular events that highlights our community's vibrant cultural landscape and commitment to the arts,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “Jazz has been a cornerstone of our nation's cultural diversity and a music education pillar that transcends generations. Hosting a legendary figure like Chucho Valdés, whose contributions to Afro-Cuban jazz have profoundly influenced the genre, underscores the festival's significance and our dedication to honoring the legacy and evolution of jazz music. This event is an opportunity to appreciate the rich tapestry of musical heritage that unites us all.”

Mr. Valdes’ career has spanned more than 60 years, and he has pushed boundaries to pursue new expressions in Afro-Cuban music. His influence in the genre is immeasurable. His work established the standard by which younger generations set out to create their own interpretation of Afro-Cuban jazz. He is also the founder of the renowned Latin jazz band Irakere.

In its two decades, the Silver Spring Jazz Festival has annually featured some of the great jazz performers of this generation and diverse lineups of local talent. This year’s lineup of performers also will include D.C.-based Ethio-Jazz Feedel Band, The Eric Byrd Trio, Todd Marcus Quintet, Dupont Brass, Paul Carr and the Real Jazz Ambassadors and Marcus Johnson, a founding committee member of the festival.

The Silver Spring Jazz Festival began in 2004 with local jazz great Keter Betts and Silver Spring’s own smooth jazz star Marcus Johnson as headliners. The festival has featured well-known performers, showcasing styles from New Orleans big band to contemporary, smooth, straight ahead and Latin jazz.

The full history of the headliners for the Silver Spring Jazz Festival:

• 2024 Chucho Valdés Quaartet
• 2023 Dee Dee Bridgewater
• 2022 Delfeayo Marsalis
• 2021 COVID (no event)
• 2020 COVID (no event)
• 2019 Arturo Sandoval
• 2018 Dianne Reeves
• 2017 Lao Tizer
• 2016 David Sanborn
• 2015 Al Chez and the Brothers of Funk Big Band
• 2014 Preservation Hall Jazz Band
• 2013 Branford Marsalis
• 2012 Sergio Mendez
• 2011 Marcus Johnson Project
• 2010 Aaron Neville
• 2009 Allen Toussaint
• 2008 Mingus Big Band
• 2007 Arturo Sandoval
• 2006 Spyro Gyra
• 2005 Wynton Marsalis
• 2004 Keter Betts and The Marcus Johnson Project

The Silver Spring Arts & Entertainment District, home to the festival, is surrounded by international and American restaurants. On-site amenities during the festival will include restrooms, first aid and other services. Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation and bring blankets or low-back lawn chairs for seating. The festival is a short walk from the Silver Spring Metro Station on the Red Line.

For more information, including Metro, parking and visitor services, visit the Silver Spring Jazz Festival website.