Blues Alley Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
By • September 13, 2026 0 363
By LaMarr Funn
This fall, explore the rich sounds and traditions of Latin America at Georgetown’s legendary Blues Alley. Tucked away at 1073 Wisconsin Ave. NW, the historic jazz club is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Jazz Month in collaboration with the embassies of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Cuba and Honduras, along with international cultural partners.
Throughout September and into October, the series transforms Blues Alley into a meeting place for music and international cultural exchange.
The musical journey begins tonight, Monday, Sept. 14, with the sounds of Chile and the Claudio Rubio Quintet. The week continues with Mario Wellmann, Brian Urra and Sebastian Fuentes. Vocalist Claudia Acuña, “Queen of Chilean Jazz,” performs on Friday and Saturday, with vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza closing out the Chilean spotlight on Sunday, Sept. 20.
On Monday, Sept. 21, the Argentine series — where tango, jazz and contemporary musical expression meet — opens with drummer Agustin Grasso. The following night, Grasso will appear with Washington-area artist Valeria Stewart, whose award-winning album “Raíces (Roots)” blends Argentine and broader Latin American traditions with jazz. The Argentine spotlight continues through the week with QuinTango, Emilio Solla & Bien Sur! and the Dani Cortaza Quartet.
Shows on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4, feature pianist and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill, one of contemporary Afro-Latin jazz’s most significant voices, with his quintet. On Oct. 5, O’Farrill will join Colombian-born alto saxophonist M. Alex Ramirez.
Next, beginning on Saturday, Oct. 10, the celebration turns toward Cuba. The lineup includes Orquesta Akokán, Melvis Santa’s Gata Jazz Trio, pianist Kemuel Roig, Kalí Rodríguez-Peña featuring Daymé Arocena, Dayramir González and Quartet, Chuchito Valdés and the Cesar López Quartet.
Look for free global livestream for select performances to experience the celebration of Latin jazz live from Blues Alley.
