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Join us on Friday, February 16, 2025, at 7:00pm for the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival’s premier winter Jazz weekend with Paul Carr and his Quartet and special guest Billy Pierce. Paul Carr’s Session begins at 7:00pm at the Bethesda Marriott. Session 5 doors open at 6:30pm. Session 5 is on Sunday, February 16 from 7:00pm until 11:30pm.

This concert with Paul Carr Quartet features special guest Billy Pierce, performing a special musical tribute to the late Benny Golson On Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 7 PM, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival will present an unforgettable tribute to the late Benny Golson. Golson, a monumental figure in jazz who passed away on September 21, 2024, at age 95, left an indelible mark on the world of music. 

The Main Stage ticketing is divided into Sessions. Each Session is comprised of three power-hitting Acts. Tickets are $@. Seating is divided into groups which include Premium  4-seater tables, General 6-seater tables and then General theater seating.  ALL MAIN STAGE TABLES ARE RESERVED FOR VOYAGER PASSPORT HOLDERS, so please purchase your all-access Voyager Passport in advance. You can pick up your Voyager Passports at the Box Office after 3pm on the first day of the festival. All proceeds from this concert series directly support efforts of the Jazz Academy of Music.

About Paul Carr:

Paul Carr, a Houston native and 1985 Howard University graduate, has devoted his career to jazz performance and education. Inspired by Texas tenor saxophonists like Arnett Cobb and Don Wilkerson, Paul was part of the renowned Kashmere High School Stage Band. Without formal private lessons, he earned multiple accolades at jazz festivals. His discography includes eight well-received albums, with his latest, The Real Jazz Whisperer, featuring Allyn Johnson, Michael Bowie, and Lewis Nash. His earlier work, DC-NYC Organ Sessions, reached #9 on the Jazz Week charts, and Standard Domain peaked at #3.

Paul has toured globally and performed at events for President Clinton and King Hussein of Jordan. In 2002, he founded the Jazz Academy of Music, which hosts camps and ensembles, helping students gain admission to prestigious institutions like Juilliard. His educational impact has earned him several awards, including the 2012 “Harris Hero” honor and the 2014 Howard University “Benny Golson Jazz Master Award.”

As Executive and Artistic Director of the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival, Paul re-established it from the East Coast Jazz Festival, drawing over 3,000 attendees annually. His commitment to jazz education extends through master classes, high school band competitions, and presenting his improvisation technique, “The Theoryless Approach to Jazz Improvisation,” at major conferences. Paul’s contributions to jazz span education, performance, and presentation, making him a true ambassador for the art form.

About the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival:

In 2010, the first Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (MAJF) was launched by the Jazz Academy of Music, Inc., a Maryland non-profit organization, whose mission is to advance and preserve jazz music through education and outreach.  One of the most important aspects of the festival is the focus on the education of young musicians.  Middle and high school, as well as collegiate, level jazz bands perform at the festival.  The students also have the opportunity to attend master classes conducted by the touring musicians that are performing at the festival, film screenings covering legacy musicians, play in open “jam sessions” with professional musicians and of course see the pros in live performances.  Many of these opportunities are free and open to the public.