Marc Cary, left, with Igmar Thomas and Awa Sangho of Cosmic Indigenous, shown here performing at Winter Jazzfest. Jati Lindsay/CapitalBop

The D.C. Jazz Loft Series got off to a running start last week, with two jam-packed shows on Friday and Saturday. But now those are past, which makes them prologue for the blowout main event that’s coming up this Saturday.

Over the course of eleven hours, the Jazz Loft MegaFest will showcase four different bands; a dozen visual artists from around D.C., in a “floating” gallery curated by SHAM; a documentary on contemporary jazz; a panel discussion on jazz and hip-hop; a range of food and drink, presented by the Taste of DC; and an excellent local DJ. Swing by in the afternoon, and you’ll have the option to purchase a special “Beer & Bop Happy Hour” ticket. That gets you full admission, plus all the craft beer you can drink until 7 p.m. (If you buy a regular admission ticket in advance, you’ll still be able to grab a happy hour deal at the door.)

The main event comes later on, though, when pianist, composer and musical mastermind Marc Cary will perform two sets (at 10 p.m. and midnight) with his explosive new band, Cosmic Indigenous. It’ll be the group’s first time performing in Cary’s hometown. In the video below, he tells us – and shows us – that the group’s music is a blend of the D.C. go-go rhythms that a young Cary was exposed to, jazz harmonies, north Indian classical scales, and the Malian vocals of singer/dancer Awa Sangho. Above all, he says in the video, “the energy’s going to be about movement…. From the stage we’re going to be moving, so let that be contagious.”

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Marc Cary’s Cosmic Indigenous headlines the 11-hour Jazz Loft MegaFest this Saturday at 629 New York Ave. NW. Tickets are $12 in advance, or $15 at the door. Find information and tickets here.

Video produced, directed and edited by Sarah Cowan, and filmed by Sarah Cowan and Giovanni Russonello.

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