The Navy Commodores

The Navy Commodores return to the iconic Chrysalis stage in Downtown Columbia for a fabulous performance of big band jazz on April 26! Join us for this FREE, family-friendly showcase of some of the most talented performers in the nation in beautiful Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods!

About the Navy Commodores

Jazz is America's music and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores, the Navy's premier jazz ensemble, have been performing the very best of big band jazz for the Navy and the nation for 50 years. Formed in 1969, this 18-member group continues the jazz big band legacy with some of the finest musicians in the world. The Commodores' mission includes public concerts, national concert tours, ceremonial support in honoring our veterans, jazz education classes and clinics, and protocol performances for high-level military and civilian government officials.

The Commodores are held in high regard nationwide by concert patrons and critics alike. The list of guest artists that have appeared with the Commodores reads like a who's who of jazz and popular music: Ray Charles, Branford Marsalis, Clark Terry, Grover Washington Jr., Chris Potter, Jerry Bergonzi, Eddie Daniels, James Moody and many more. They have appeared on television shows, played nearly all major jazz festivals and toured across the United States and abroad. In conjunction with the Airmen of Note (Air Force) and the Army Blues (Army), the Commodores even host their own annual jazz festival, the Joint Service Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C. As a versatile and relevant musical organization in the 21st century, the Commodores write and arrange much of their vast library of music. Their concerts are an eclectic mix of traditional big band music, exciting jazz vocal arrangements and fresh new instrumental music written specifically for the Commodores of today. This vibrant, dynamic musical group is constantly striving for musical excellence and the pursuit of new and exciting ways to communicate with their audiences.

About the Inner Arbor Trust

The Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in Maryland. The mission of the Inner Arbor Trust is to promote and nurture a park in a unique natural setting for a variety of arts and culture experiences that enrich the entire community. The Trust works to develop Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods into a destination arts and culture park. In addition to operating the Chrysalis amphitheater, the Trust manages a substantial portion of the Park for recreational use.

If you need ADA parking, please make sure you select ADA parking during checkout. For more information about parking please click here - https://innerarbortrust.org/location Jazz in the Woods is at the Chrysalis, in Symphony Woods.

All seating will be on the lawn. Lawn chairs are available for rent ($5 each), or you may bring a blanket or a small lawn chair with no canopy.

Come hungry! Several food trucks will be onsite, as well as concessions with softdrinks, water, and candy.

No pets except service animals are permitted at this event. We will miss our four legged friends, but please do bring canine companions to events where permitted.

Restrooms are available at the top of Chrysalis hill.

Non-ADA parking is in Lot 2 (flat) and Lot 4. If you need ADA parking please request it at check out or email [email protected].

A parking map is available here .

DIRECTIONS TO LOT 2 (flat)

For GPS purposes, please use the address 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 (you are going to the flat surface parking lot, not the garage).

From points north: Take 29 South to 175 West (Columbia). Continue as 175 becomes Little Patuxent Parkway, for approximately 2.3 miles. Make a left onto Merriweather Drive and follow the signs to Lot 2, which is to the right.

From points south: Take 29 North to Broken Land Parkway towards Town Center / Merriweather Post Pavilion. Make a right onto Little Patuxent Parkway, continue for approximately 0.2 miles. Make a right onto Merriweather Drive and follow the signs to Lot 2, which is to the right.

DIRECTIONS TO LOT 4

For GPS purposes, please use the address 10500 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia MD 21044, and follow the directions of signs and parking staff.

From points north / west: Take US-29 South; disregard signs for Merriweather/South Entrance Road. Take the exit for Broken Land Parkway West towards Town Center / Merriweather Post Pavilion. Stay in left lane and turn left at light onto Broken Land Parkway. Go straight through two lights, crossing over Little Patuxent Parkway, and make first right into parking garage.

From points south: Take 29 North to Broken Land Parkway towards Town Center / Merriweather Post Pavilion. Go straight through two lights, crossing over Little Patuxent Parkway, and make first right into parking garage. Please follow the directions of parking staff.

If you need ADA parking, please make sure you select ADA parking during checkout. For more information about parking please click here - https://innerarbortrust.org/location

*Image shows the logo of First National Bank as a Founding Partner. Partner Organization logos for Columbia Associationand Howard County Recreation and Parks.*

This celebration is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. To discover more about the Maryland State Arts Council and how they impact Maryland, visit msac.org.

* image shows an abstract version of the Maryland flag, the logo of the Maryland State Arts Council, which is part of the Department of Commerce.*

Host or Publisher Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods