We are excited to announce that the DC Jazz Festival will be performing at the Global Ties U.S. 2024 National Meeting on Wednesday, March 6 during our Diplomacy in Action evening reception at Studio Theatre. This special event will celebrate and engage the Global Ties Network, an extraordinary community of citizen diplomats whose organizations represent all 50 U.S. states and provide the domestic infrastructure for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program.
“Jazz is one of our country’s greatest cultural assets, and a longstanding pillar of U.S. public diplomacy celebrated as part of the Global Music Initiative,” said Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President and CEO of Global Ties U.S. “Since the 1950s—and continuing today—U.S. jazz ambassadors have traveled all over the world to connect with international counterparts, introduce audiences to U.S. culture and values, and tell our country’s story though our music. We are thrilled to have the DC Jazz Festival join us at our 2024 National Meeting and bring to life our theme, Diplomacy in Action: Raising Community Voices.”
The DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is a nonprofit organization committed to expanding access to jazz performances and educational programming to people from all walks of life. Their signature event is DC JazzFest, presented annually since 2005, which brings together local, national, and international artists in celebration of jazz, our country’s original art form. The DCJF also presents year-round performances through their Charles Fishman Embassy Series, which showcases emerging and established artists from around the globe.
“Being invited to take the stage at the Global Ties U.S. 2024 National Meeting is a testament to the universal language of jazz and its role in diplomacy,” said Sunny Sumter, DCJF President and CEO. “Jazz has a unique ability to transcend borders, languages, and cultures, and DC Jazz Festival is proud to help build bridges between communities around the world.”
Throughout the year, DCJF provides music education programs for underserved communities. This includes their DCJF Education Program, which aims to get kids of all ages “jazzed” about learning; and the DCJazzPrix, an international jazz band competition, which supports young and emerging jazz musicians with professional development services including a cash prize, business development support, and career advice.
Registration for the Global Ties U.S. 2024 National Meeting is open to the public and available until February 23. Taking place March 5-8, the National Meeting is the premier annual gathering of international exchange and public diplomacy professionals and supporters from government agencies, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and academia. With dozens of inspiring speakers, skill-building sessions, and networking opportunities, the National Meeting has something for everyone. Join us at Diplomacy in Action: Raising Community Voices.