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Mother's Day weekend just got a whole lot smoother.
In the vibrant, sprawling, sometimes chaotic tapestry of Washington D.C.'s jazz scene, there are plenty of voices. But few—and I mean few—resonate with the same warmth, depth, and sheer storytelling power as Marcia Baird Burris.
This is a vocalist who does not just sing songs. She tells stories. Stories shaped by a rich, multicultural heritage that you can hear in every note. Described as "earthy, expressive, and articulate" (and trust me, that is the short version), Burris brings something to the stage that you cannot fake: soul with a capital S.
The Global Pulse of a D.C. Icon
Let us talk roots. Burris hails from Brooklyn, but she brings a distinctive global flair to every performance, informed by her Barbadian-Guyanese heritage. Her career has danced through the museum world, political circles, and the musical universe—and that eclectic mix shows up in her art.
Her style? A seamless, utterly addictive blend of jazz, blues, and Caribbean rhythms. You will hear the ghosts of legends like Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, and Nina Simone in her phrasing, but make no mistake—this is not an imitation. This is Marcia.
A proud graduate of Howard University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., she has graced stages that read like a bucket list: the Smithsonian, Blues Alley, and venues in Paris, Barcelona, and Bermuda. Whether she is honoring the complex phrasing of Carmen McRae or debuting original material inspired by her father's poetry, her performances create a space where, as someone once perfectly put it, "voice becomes narrative and culture becomes groove."
Celebrate Mother's Day with the DC Jazz Jam
This Sunday, May 10, 2026, Marcia Baird Burris returns to lead a very special Mother's Day "Serenade" at the award-winning DC Jazz Jam. Hosted at the beloved Haydee's Restaurant in Mount Pleasant, this is not a stuffy, sit-on-your-hands concert. This is a live vocal jazz session designed to be felt.
When: Sunday, May 10, from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Where: Haydee's Restaurant (3102 Mount Pleasant St. NW)
The Band: Marcia will be joined by the stellar house band: Pete Frassrand (keys), David Jernigan (bass), and Nick Costa (drums). These are players who listen.
Cost: No cover charge (though dining and tipping the band is strongly encouraged—these are working musicians, folks).
Invitation to Musicians
Here is where the magic multiplies.
In the true, generous spirit of a jazz jam, Burris and the DC Jazz Jam crew invite you—yes, you, the singer in the back, the sax player who has been waiting for a moment—to sit in and share a tune.
Bring your courage. Bring a song your mother loves, or a blues classic, or something that celebrates the rebirth of spring. The band will catch you. That is what this community does.
The Bottom Line
Whether you are a lifelong jazz aficionado who can name every Carmen McRae album or a parent looking for a unique family outing that does not involve a cartoon and a drive-thru, this night is for you.
Come celebrate the mothers, the "mom-like" figures, and the women who shaped us. Come hear why Marcia Baird Burris is not just a performer, but a cornerstone of the D.C. musical community.
Come for the voice. Stay for the groove. Leave feeling like you just witnessed something real.
#DCJazzJam #MarciaBairdBurris #MothersDayJazz #HaydeesRestaurant #DCMusicScene
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