LOCAL MUSIC AND NEW COLLABORATIONS TAKE
CENTER STAGE AT ELEVENTH ANNUAL TASTE OF DC

WASHINGTON, DC-- Leading local talents, national artists and a broad array of musical genres will be on display as the Eleventh Annual TASTE OF DC: A Salute to our City pays tribute to the unique sounds and traditions of the nation's capital. The three-day event will feature free performances, including appearances by several local talents, including those that have evolved into industry greats.

Washington, DC native and go-go legend Chuck Brown returns home for a live solo performance and featured collaborations at this year's event. Promoting his new CD, Put Your Hands Up, Brown will be joined by noted local guitarist and Blues musician Bobby Parker, who taught him to play the guitar.

The distinctive rhythmic signature that Brown introduced to Washington, DC and to the world through go-go music is complemented by the trademark syncopation of brass band music. The New Orleans-based Dirty Dozen Brass Band brings its distinctive sounds to the TASTE OF DC with a special live performance. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will also perform live with Brown, blending their parallel forms of regional music in an innovative collaboration.

The TASTE's musical lineup also showcases Washington, DC's proud Jazz tradition with a performance by the legendary Shirley Horne, the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra, Jazz piano virtuoso Hiromi Uehara, noted harmonica player Fred Yonnet, and several local artists.

Other regional and national recording artists appearing at the TASTE span a wide variety of musical genres, reflecting the diversity of the city and its musical influences. Regional favorites include the Bluegrass sounds of the Lonesome River Band, while Native Roots' acclaimed reggae music demonstrates a distinctive Native American influence. Featured pop and rock performers include Uncle Kracker (presented by Z104), Fighting Gravity, urban songstress MeShell NdegeOcello, and popular 1970s group Black Heat.

Live performances will be held throughout the course of the three-day festival, October 12-14, at the Heineken Pavilion Stage (12th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW) and the Capitol Music Stage (7th St. and Pennsylvania Ave., NW). The easiest way to reach the festival is to ride Washington's METRO system with convenient stops at Federal Triangle (Blue and Orange lines), Metro Center (Blue, Orange and Red Lines) or Archives/Navy Memorial (Green and Yellow lines).

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