Paul Carr.

Nearly four years have passed since we lost Ronnie Wells, and she is still sorely missed. The District’s jazz matriarch was a world-class vocalist, educator, and along with her husband, Ron Elliston, a mentor to so many area musicians. Wells was also the driving force behind the East Coast Jazz Festival, an annual event held in Rockville, Maryland between 1992 and 2006, presenting top-notch local, regional and student talent.

Unfortunately, the East Coast Jazz Festival ceased to exist after Wells’ passing — but in 2010, the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival (MAJF) arose in its place. Its second iteration takes place this coming President’s Day weekend at the same venue, which is now Rockville’s Hilton Hotel. Presented by the Jazz Academy of Music, the MAJF shares many of the same goals in presenting first-class talent, performance opportunities for students and a host of educational events. The stellar lineup includes familiar locals like pianist Allyn Johnson and drummer Nasar Abadey, along with bigger names such as trumpeter Randy Brecker and saxophonist Jimmy Heath. The festival’s chief organizers are the Jazz Academy’s founder and Music Director, Paul Carr, and his wife, Karmen Carr.

Like Wells, Carr is a multi-faceted mainstay of the local jazz scene. A Texas native, he is a graduate of Howard University’s famed jazz program and has released four albums as a leader since 1993, the latest of which is 2010’s Straight Ahead Soul. His résumé includes several performances at the White House, shows all over the world and gigs alongside the likes of Branford and Wynton Marsalis, Steve Wilson and Kirk Whalum. Carr’s academy is one of the area’s premier institutions for jazz education, with many students going on to study at the country’s finest conservatories.

DCist recently interviewed Carr about his role at the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival and the program for this year’s event.