We are excited to announce that the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) will return to the Global Ties U.S. 2026 National Meeting this February, marking the third consecutive year of their participation. DCJF will provide artists to perform on Friday, February 20 during the closing plenary, bringing the National Meeting to a dynamic close through music that reflects the enduring legacy of jazz in U.S. history and diplomacy at this event focused on “America at 250.”
“Jazz is a uniquely American art form that represents and embodies the American story. Since the 1950s, jazz diplomacy has been one of the powerful ways that the United States has promoted our values and interests, carrying the story of the United States to audiences around the world,” said Katherine A. Brown, Ph.D., President and CEO of Global Ties U.S. “As our nation approaches its 250th birthday this July, we are proud to welcome the DC Jazz Festival back to the National Meeting and to celebrate how jazz exemplifies the American spirt of innovation and boundless achievement.”
The DC Jazz Festival (DCJF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing enriching and entertaining jazz performances and programs that introduce students and adults to jazz, our nation’s singular original art form. Their signature event, DC JazzFest, has been presented annually since 2005 and brings together local, national, and international artists in celebration of jazz. Under the theme, “The Future of Jazz: America’s Next 250 Years,” this year’s JazzFest will commemorate 250 years of American jazz history, with a focus on the connections between American excellence and the history of jazz.
“We are proud to celebrate this milestone year—both through our performance at the Global Ties U.S. National meeting and through our own 250th celebration, ‘The Future of Jazz: America’s Next 250 Years,’ this summer at DC JazzFest. Being part of this community of citizen diplomats underscores how music connects people and cultures around the world,” said Sunny Sumter, President and CEO of the DC Jazz Festival.
The Global Ties U.S. 2026 National Meeting, taking place February 17–20, is the premier annual gathering of international exchange and public diplomacy professionals. This year’s event, themed “America at 250,” will explore how U.S. citizen engagement in diplomacy, including cultural exchange through jazz, showcases American excellence, creates investments into local communities, and drives innovation across the United States and beyond.