Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival

Join us for the 28th Annual Ella Fitzgerald Music Festival featuring three days filled with talent and music that honors the legacy of the First Lady of Song.

Festival pass tickets are available at a discounted rate and include all shows.

April 17

Victor Haskins & Skein
Victor Haskins & Skein stands as a pioneering force in contemporary music, seamlessly blending original electroacoustic compositions with elements of storytelling, philosophy, and African diasporic influences. Each performance serves as a multidimensional tapestry, intricately weaving together emotional depth, intellectual engagement, and textured sonic landscapes, creating an immersive musical journey for the audience. Their latest album, "Ikigai," draws inspiration from the Japanese concept of finding one's "reason for living," embodying Haskins' deeply personal philosophies and interactions.

Website: https://www.victorhaskins.com/skein

Music: https://www.victorhaskins.com/music

Videos: https://bit.ly/SkeinVideos

This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly.

Carlton Baker (opener)

Carlton Baker , Virginia based singer-songwriter, invites you into a space where sound meets soul—using his voice as a brush and guitar as his canvas. His voice is smooth yet raw, carrying an honesty that pulls you in from the very first note. Every song tells a story, blending the heart of R&B, the depth of Folk, and the richness of Neo-Soul, all with a modern edge that feels fresh yet familiar.

Carlton’s lyrics are vulnerable and real, painting vivid images of love, life, and spirituality in a way that feels personal but universally relatable. His gift lies in turning his own experiences into moments that listeners can feel for themselves—connecting emotions, stories, and people through music.

This isn’t just music—it’s an experience. It’s about finding those little truths in everyday life and realizing we’re all more alike than we think. If you’re looking for something real, something that resonates long after the music stops, Carlton Baker is someone you’ll want to keep on repeat.

Kings Return

Dallas vocal group Kings Return have earned a loyal following for their diverse, dynamic, and utterly smooth a cappella sound. Discovered after a series of bare-bones stairwell performances went viral, the four-piece has earned comparisons to iconic acts Take 6 and Boyz II Men. Since 2020, their gospel style has evolved to incorporate elements of R&B, jazz, gospel, soul, and radio pop—all built on solid, classical foundations. They like to defy the constraints of genre, exploring a wider range of sonic shades and textures and blending expansive harmonies with agility and effortless skill. Composed of tenor Vaughn Faison, bass Gabe Kunda, tenor JE McKissic, and baritone Jamall Williams, the quartet's first taste of fame came in 2020, when a video of their stunning rendition of “God Bless America” went viral. The next year, their rendition of “Ubi Caritas” also went viral, amassing over 10 million views. They dropped vibrant, jazz-leaning debut holiday EP Merry Little Christmas in December 2021, followed by the June 2022 release of their Bee Gees cover “How Deep is Your Love” (from debut LP ROVE), which earned a GRAMMY nomination for “best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella.” Next, the group dropped debut LP ROVE in September 2022, a remarkable fusion of four voices into one elegant whole. Now poised to release their first full-length holiday LP We 4 Kings in November 2023, Kings Return continue to defy expectations, charming audiences with their signature smoothness

Roberta Lea (opener)

American Songwriter Magazine describes Roberta Lea as “a compelling artist” while The Nashville Scene praises her ability to “score hits with her catchy, textured and beautifully sung originals.” The award-winning singer/songwriter released her debut album “Too Much of a Woman” to critical acclaim and punctuated her presence in the industry with a coast to coast tour.

Described as “country-neo-pop” with a “delicious, folky flare”, the Virginia native is known as a powerful songwriter and engaging storyteller. Listeners turned fans describe her style as one that fits comfortably between Shania Twain’s fun and catchy pop-country singles and Tracy Chapman’s heavy weight, cinematic chokeholds.

As a touring member of The Black Opry, one of CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2023 and a voting member of The Recording Academy, Lea is steadily building a successful, sustainable artist career that will be etched in Virginia’s history and beyond.

Website: https://www.iamrobertalea.com/

Emma Nissen

Emma Nissen is a 25-year-old jazz-pop phenom who became known for her “Jesus and Jazz” style after a reel of her scatting on her Christian song “Breathe” went viral in late 2023. Since then, thanks to her timeless voice and lovable personality, her videos have amassed over 200 million views, taking her Instagram following from under 10k to over 700k. This surge in attention led to Emma being recognized by the likes of Lauren Daigle, SZA, Meghan Trainor, Queen Latifah, and long-time Rihanna, Maroon 5, and Justin Timberlake collaborator, Emmy and Grammy winner Adam Blackstone—who invited Emma to perform with his world-class band at the famed NYC jazz club, The Blue Note. This led to Blackstone producing her most recent single and album title track, "Love Like You." Additionally produced by Grammy, Dove, and Billboard award winner Seth Mosley, Grammy award nominee Nate Pyfer, and acclaimed producer Stephen Nelson.

In 2025 Emma has toured the biggest cities in Europe with sold out shows in the UK and Amsterdam and continues her tour in the USA. Then she’s headed back to the studio in early 2026 to record her new album, which will be followed up by extensive touring.

Website: https://emmanissen.bandzoogle.com/home

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center