Students and CapitalBop

Ever since CapitalBop was founded almost a decade ago, we have been fighting to make sure that everyone in D.C. has a place in our jazz scene. Young people are the future of the music, and it’s absolutely essential that they have spaces to listen, learn, and play life-changing music. How can I get involved? […]
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Videos
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Watch the Elijah Jamal Balbed Quartet perform ‘Washington Hospital Center’ at our September Spotlight Residency

Our second-ever Spotlight artist-in-residence was Elijah Jamal Balbed, a prolific young voice on the tenor saxophone in D.C. Balbed showcased new, original music alongside three different ensembles over three nights, including a workshop performance at Sitar Arts Center and two shows in the intimate upstairs room at Local 16, an Afghan restaurant and nightclub in […]
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News
Aaron Myers, shown here at Hillfest 2017, is one of the festival's musician organizers. Courtesy Aaron Myers

Hillfest brings live jazz and much more to Capitol Hill this week

The Capitol Hill Jazz Foundation is teaming up this week with the DC Department of Parks and Recreation to host the second installment of its yearly Hillfest conference and festival. The events culminate on Saturday with a full day of free performances at Garfield Park, featuring the star vibraphonist Stefon Harris as well as an […]
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News
Mark G. Meadows, second from right, with the members of his band, the Movement. Courtesy dcjazzfest.org

Hear Mark G. Meadows cover ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder

The pianist and vocalist Mark G. Meadows has been known as a leading young figure on D.C.’s music scene since the release of his debut album, Something Good, in 2014. Since then he’s put out another fine record — To the People, named CapitalBop’s No. 2 album of 2016 — and performed in a range […]
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News
Ron Sutton Jr., shown performing at Bohemian Caverns in 2015, caught the attention of preeminent jazz musicians early in his career. Courtesy Lawrence A. Randall

Ron Sutton, beloved D.C. saxophonist and ‘unsung hero,’ dies at 55

Ron Sutton, a beloved alto saxophonist and D.C. native, died at Washington Hospital Center on Sunday. He was 55. The cause was a heart attack, said vocalist George V. Johnson, a longtime friend and collaborator. Sutton’s playing was built upon the bebop vernacular of Charlie Parker, and reflected his training in D.C.’s tradition-steeped jazz community. […]
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News
Danté Pope, shown here at Strathmore, has released the second single from his forthcoming album, After 5 Music. Courtesy Danté Pope

Listen to ‘The Promise,’ the latest single from Danté Pope’s forthcoming album

On After 5 Music, his soon-to-be-released debut album, the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Danté Pope reaches back into the classic sounds of 1950s and ’60s R&B, creating original music with an old-school flavor. Today Pope released “The Promise,” the second single off the album, and it finds him leaning into his gospel roots, delivering a tender […]
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Announcing...

Elijah Jamal Balbed is our next Spotlight artist-in-residence!

It’s been said by more than a few people that Elijah Jamal Balbed is the hardest-working young saxophonist in D.C. Balbed is a mainstay of the D.C. scene, a devoted musician with the dedication and the vision to match his fearsome chops. Boasting a wide vocabulary and a steady, grounded tone on the tenor saxophone, […]
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