Jay-Z, Bruce, Miley Providing Inaugural Soundtrack

Jay-Z, Bruce Springsteen and Miley Cyrus among artists headed to D.C. to help commemorate Barack Obama's historic inauguration

By Josh Grossberg Jan 07, 2009 6:13 PMTags
Sean "Diddy" Combs, Jay-ZLogan Fazio/ Getty Images

Hova's in the (White) house.

Jay-Z has unveiled plans to stage a special one-off gig in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 19, the night before President-elect Barack Obama's historic inauguration.

In Concert on the Eve of Change will feature the rap superstar and his live band at the intimate 1,847-capacity Warner Theatre. Jigga had been a fixture on the campaign trail, joining with Mary J. Blige and Diddy to help get out the vote in support of Obama. The incoming commander in chief is not expected at the show.

Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports that another big-time Obama backer, Bruce Springsteen, is going to jam Jan. 19 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The concert will be free and open to the public.

And that's not all...

Jessica Alba has just been tapped as the host of nonpartisan, nonprofit youth voter group Declare Yourself's inauguration kickoff event Jan. 18 that will feature a performance by Maroon 5 and deejaying by Lindsay Lohan gal-pal Samantha Ronson. Surprise guests are also promised. Tickets are going for $250.

According to Fox News, the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus have been invited to play an official inaugural ball for kids Jan. 19 at the Verizon Center. Stevie Wonder and Barbra Streisand are said to be in talks to play other official inauguration galas.

Unofficial parties going on in D.C. in and around inauguration time include a bash thrown by Dionne Warwick featuring George Clinton and Chaka Khan at the Marriott Wardman; a Jan. 18 concert headlined by Alicia Keys; a free show put on by Aretha Franklin at the Kennedy Center; and a glitzy ball organized by the Creative Coalition with dozens of celebrities expected to be in attendance and featuring musical performances by Sam Moore, Sting and Elvis Costello.

As for the official swearing-in ceremony itself, Queen of Soul Franklin and go-to guardians of high culture Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma are on the bill.