JAZZAlive Celebrates Back-to-School Fall 2025
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 • 2:00 p.m.
Join us for an afternoon of great music when the Allyn Johnson Organ Trio with Elijah Easton (tenor sax) and Ynomrah Hicks (drums) kick off our JAZZAlive series for Fall 2025.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Allyn Johnson and Meet the Artist on the Bandstand - Heidi Martin
Tuesday, October 21, 2025 • 2:00 p.m.
Favorite pianist and UDC Jazz Studies Director Allyn Johnson invites award-winning vocalist, composer and educator Heidi Martin for a lively session of conversation and performance.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
JAZZforum: Jazz Studies Degree - Then What?
Tuesday, October 28, 2025 • 2:00 p.m.
Where can a degree in jazz studies lead? For Michael Fitzgerald, the answer was not to performing and recording, but instead to teaching, research, and writing. Fitzgerald, who studied piano with Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, is electronic services librarian at UDC and works closely with the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives. He is co-author of the award-winning biography Rat Race Blues: The Musical Life of Gigi Gryce and contributor to DC Jazz: Stories of Jazz Music in Washington, D.C.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Junior Recital: Debkanya Mitra evocalist
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • 2:00 p.m.
Vocalist and jazz studies major Debkanya Mitra presents her Junior Recital.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Junior Recital: Ynomrah Hicks, percussion
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 • 2:00 p.m.
Percussionist and jazz studies major Ynomrah Hicks presents his Junior Recital.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Jazz Concert: UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 • 2:00 p.m.
Join the Jazz Ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for our Thanksgiving celebration.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Annual Holiday Concert
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 • 7:30 p.m.
The University of the District of Columbia presents its holiday gift to the Washington, D.C. community. The UDC Chorale directed by Johnny Butler III and the UDC Jazz Ensemble, directed by Allyn Johnson offer a program sure to spread the holiday spirit.
UNIVERSITY THEATER (Bldg. 46-East) • FREE & Open to the Public
JAZZAlive Celebrates Black History Month
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Join the Allyn Johnson Trio for a Black History Month celebration.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Allyn Johnson and Meet the Artist on the Bandstand
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 • 2:00 p.m.
Favorite pianist and UDC Jazz Studies Director Allyn Johnson presents an up-close and personal session of conversation and performance. (Guest to be announced.)
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Jazz Concert: UDC Small Jazz Ensembles
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 • 2:00 p.m.
Join the Jazz Ensembles under the direction of Allyn Johnson for our Jazz Appreciation Month celebration.
RECITAL HALL (Performing Arts—Bldg. 46-West) • FREE & Open to the Public
Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival
Monday, April 27, 2026 • 8:00 p.m.
The BIG BAND sound returns as the powerhouse jazz ensembles from the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, and the University of Maryland celebrate thirty-seven years of world-class jazz. Produced by the UDC Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, the festival began in 1987 as part of a city-wide tribute to Duke Ellington, and it remains one of the most anticipated events on Washington, DC's jazz calendar.
UNIVERSITY THEATER (Bldg. 46-East)
Tickets are $20 (general admission), $15 (seniors), and $10 (students) and can be purchased in advance at the UDC Music Program, Performing Arts-Bldg. 46-West or online at InstantSeats.com. Info: (202) 274-5803 * jazzalive@udc.edu * www.bigbandjazzfest.org
