Stevie Wonder Joins KestheBand Onstage At DC Jazz Fest

Trinidad and Tobago’s global Soca powerhouse KesTheBand delivered another unforgettable moment for Caribbean music on Saturday, September 5, when the band shared the stage with legendary music icon Stevie Wonder at DC JazzFest.

The surprise appearance marked a stunning continuation of a weekend that placed KestheBand and Caribbean music at the center of some of the most significant cultural moments of Labor Day weekend. The set included an uptempo lyrical mashup of “I Just Called To Say I Love You” and “Savannah Grass” received thunderous applause from adoring fans. Crediting his parents in an emotional social media post following their debut at DC Jazz Fest, frontman Kes Dieffenthaller shared that the Stevie Wonder hit “was the first record I had on repeat as a child.” Sharing the stage with Stevie Wonder created a defining moment for Caribbean music, bringing Soca into conversation with one of the most influential artists in music history.

Just one night earlier, on Friday, September 4, KesTheBand electrified Soca Fest at the iconic Brooklyn museum in New York, where the band was introduced by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. The appearance brought together Caribbean music, culture and community in one of New York’s most prominent Labor Day weekend celebrations and venues.