Jazz in The Parks: Fran Vielma Pan American Orchestra & Mr Rob

The region’s most acclaimed jazz musicians are returning to the ever-popular Jazz in The Parks on the Great Lawn this summer! Bring your neighbors and friends for the city’s favorite laid-back summer evenings – listed by magazine as one of the area’s top five outdoor spots to listen to live music just last year! Bring your own picnic, blanket and refreshments, and enjoy popular local food vendors and giveaways, including some delicious Atlantic Barbeque! Stop by the wonderful restaurants around the Marketplace, just a block away up 12th Street. Pick up charcuterie (or a pizza!) at Whole Foods, or amazing chicken or noodles from JINYA Ramen Bar. Everything works well for takeout!

The events start at 5 pm with a children’s performer (get ready to dance!), followed at 6 pm by the headliners.

Dates:

• June 14: Jazz in The Parks & Blues Alley Present The Blues Alley Youth Quartet followed by Herm Hopkins Soul Quartet with opener Baba Ras D
• July 12: Jazz in The Parks presents and headliner Brandon Woody
• August 23: Jazz in The Parks and The Sonic Lifeline present the Fran Vielma Pan American Orchestra with opener Mr. Rob
• September 13: Jazz in The Parks presents Rochelle Rice with opener Mr. Rob

See below for more information on each artist!

Location: The Great Lawn is located at the center of the campus. Enter from 16th Street NW, or enter from Georgia Avenue at Butternut Street NW, and follow Main Drive around to the grassy area. 1301 Main Drive NW.

How to Get There: Parking is limited on campus, so walking, scooting, biking, buses, and trains are recommended. The Parks at Walter Reed is a 12-minute walk from the Takoma Metrorail Station on the Red Line, and more than a dozen bus lines run up 16th Street NW and Georgia Avenue NW. Bike parking is available on campus. Some parking is available in on-street spots; please follow the signage.

Free community events at The Parks at Walter Reed are made possible by our generous sponsors: Bozzuto Construction, Fidelity National Title Insurance Company DC, Oakridge Landscaping, Range Construction, Saul Ewing, Feldman Ruel, Wiles Mensch.

About the artists:

August 23rd, 2025

The Parks at Walter Reed in partnership with The Sonic Lifeline presents kids opener Music with Mr. Rob and headliner Fran Vielma’s Pan-American Jazz Orchestra.

The Sonic Lifeline is an innovative entertainment production and promotion group, founded by producer Ed Baldi and photographer Nick Moreland. Their shared mission is to meticulously craft artist-centric experiences that not only captivate audiences but also foster community through the power of live performance. Their dedication extends to leaving indelible impressions on audiences, artists, and venues alike.

Music With Mr. Rob is a performer and music educator with 10+ years experience, who specializes in early childhood music education. He uses performance experience to create highly engaging and interactive music education experiences.

Fran Vielma’s Pan-American Jazz Orchestra Fran Vielma is a Venezuelan-American musician, composer, and educator best known for his work with the Pan-American Jazz Ensemble at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. He also leads the Pan-American Jazz Orchestra, a large ensemble that performs his original compositions and works by contemporary Pan-American jazz composers. Vielma is currently producing the debut album of his Jazz Orchestra, entitled “Pan-American Modernism”, featuring a “world-class” cast of musicians.

Host or Publisher The Parks at Walter Reed