Emerging NYC Jazz Composer, Bassist And Educator Hannah Marks To Perform At DC Jazz Festival On Sept

The ASCAP Foundation, under the leadership of President Paul Williams and Executive Director Patricia Leonard, partners with the DC Jazz Festival, headed by President & CEO Sunny Sumter, to support the next generation of jazz creators for a fourth year.

The 2026 DC JazzFest will take place September 2-6, 2026, supporting DC250's celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary through the quintessential American art form. This year's lineup features The ASCAP Foundation Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award recipient Hannah Marks alongside jazz's most influential players, from Kurt Elling & Yellowjackets to Lisa Fischer. Marks will take the DC JazzFest stage at Pearl Street Warehouse, 33 Pearl Street SW, Washington, DC, on Saturday, September 5 at 4:15 p.m. "As we commemorate 250 years of America, there is no better way to celebrate than by supporting the emerging creators who are shaping the future of one of our nation's most storied art forms," said ASCAP Foundation President Paul Williams. "We are honored to partner for a fourth year with DC Jazz Fest to champion the next generation of jazz composers."

"Jazz is a living art form, sustained by extraordinary artists who honor its rich legacy while boldly shaping its future. At The ASCAP Foundation, we're proud to support creators throughout their artistic journeys, which is why our partnership with DC JazzFest is so important. Providing this opportunity to one of our Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award recipients reflects our shared commitment to the future of jazz," said The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director Patricia Leonard.

The Hannah Marks Quartet features Marks on bass, Jonathan Paik on keyboard, Mark Valdes on drums and Max Light on guitar. Earlier that day, Marks will join "ASCAP FOUNDATION CONVERSATION: NEXT VOICES," a free "Meet The Artists" discussion at DC's Arena Stage. She will also be a featured guest on "VERSED: The ASCAP Podcast" in August.

Marks, recognized on DownBeat magazine's 2026 Critic's Poll Rising Star Bassist list, is a bassist, composer and educator living in New York City. She leads a risk-taking acoustic jazz quartet and has showcased her music at the Detroit Jazz Festival, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, 80-35 Music Festival, Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival and Indy Jazz Festival.

Produced by Jason Moran, her second album, Feed the Fire, was released in June 2026 on Endectomorph. Marks' debut album, Outsider, Outlier (2023), is an explosive rendering of her search for belonging and empowerment. Citizen Jazz called it "…a very mature record from a young artist with very strong ideas who does not hold back anything." Trumpeter Marcus Printup has praised her "fresh, modern, and original approach to playing the bass."

Marks tours internationally with NEA Jazz Master Dee Dee Bridgewater's project "We Exist!" and has performed with Geoffrey Keezer, Nasheet Waits, Terri Lyne Carrington, Anna Webber, Miles Okazaki, Ingrid Jensen, Kalia Vandever, Matt Wilson, Ted Nash, Morgan Guerin, Marcus Printup and Sasha Berliner. Her discography includes Geoffrey Keezer's Grammy-winning "Refuge," Amanda Ekery's Grammy-nominated Arabé, Kristen Lee Sergeant's Falling, and Heartland Trio's Year One.

The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards

The Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards were established by The ASCAP Foundation in 2002 to encourage gifted jazz composers up to the age of 30. The program carries the name of trumpeter and ASCAP member Herb Alpert, recognizing The Herb Alpert Foundation's multi-year financial commitment to this unique program. Recipients, who receive cash awards, are selected through a juried national competition.

More information on this year's Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards recipients can be found at https://www.ascap.com/press/2025/03/03-28-foundation-herb-alpert-recipients.

About The ASCAP Foundation

The ASCAP Foundation was founded in 1975. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established as a separate entity from ASCAP, dedicated to supporting American music creators through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs, including songwriting workshops, scholarships, awards, recognition and community outreach. The ASCAP Foundation is supported by contributions from ASCAP members and music lovers throughout the United States. www.ascapfoundation.org

About DC Jazz Festival (DCJF)

DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded by jazz producer Charles Fishman and his wife, attorney Stephanie Peters, in 2004. The organization provides enriching jazz performances and programs introducing people of all ages to jazz, our nation's singular art form. DCJF presents acclaimed and emerging artists and provides exposure for musicians from the Washington, DC area. For more information, visit https://www.dcjazzfest.org/.