[Updated]: So much music, so little time. While tomorrow’s This Week In Jazz column will preview this year’s fantastic Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, there is even more jazz to be had for those who can’t wait that long. This Saturday, September 8, the 17th Annual Rosslyn Jazz Festival will take place at Gateway Park from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. On the same day, D.C.’s Maryland suburbs get their own jazz celebration in the form of the 4th Annual Silver Spring Jazz Festival, which runs from 2 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at downtown Silver Spring’s Veterans Field. Both festivals, which are free and open to all, will feature an impressive lineup of world class artists.

The headliner is of Rosslyn’s festival is violinist Regina Carter (pictured), one of the most respected jazz instrumentalists in the country. Other performers include vocalist Kevin Mahogany, legendary vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, and saxophonist Red Holloway. For more information, visit the festival website or call the festival hotline at (703) 228-1850.

Silver Spring’s festival has a slightly more varied roster of artists. The headliner is fiery latin jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval. The rest of the lineup includes vocalist Ethel Ennis, an alum of Benny Goodman’s big band, smooth jazz pianist Marcus Johnson, versatile harmonica player Frederic Yonnet, and guitarist Dani Cortaza. The first set of the afternoon will be a special treat, as it features three of the area’s best high school big bands. For more information visit the festival’s website.

So whether you live north or south of the Potomac, you have no excuse for missing out on the weekend’s great music. Just grab a blanket, picnic basket, and enjoy.

Image from Regina Carter’s MySpace page