The reason we do what we do here at CapitalBop is simple: to help strengthen and support the fabulous jazz scene that exists in D.C. Too often, the city’s talent goes unrecognized — both within the city and across the country.

So it’s always cool when the gatekeepers let us slide up onto the national stage for a second. That happened in a big way this week: NPR Music’s Jazz Night in America just released an hourlong radio feature and an accompanying, half-hour documentary film, titled “At the DC Jazz Loft,” focusing on CapitalBop’s efforts. Specifically, it’s centered around the opening night of last year’s DC Jazz Festival, when we built an empty warehouse into a theater, and it weaves a greater narrative about the importance of D.C. and Baltimore’s local music scenes. The radio piece will be broadcast on well over 100 NPR affiliates across the country.

Via NPR Music:

Jazz has its capital cities: major hubs like New York, Chicago and New Orleans. But the music manages plenty well in many other places, too. What goes into those smaller ecosystems to enable jazz to thrive? How do talented musicians make it happen? In search of some answers, we sought out the DIY concert producers of CapitalBop in Washington, D.C., as they presented artists from the Baltimore-Washington area. And we met with the musicians themselves — in one case, touring the place he calls home.
 
Jazz Night In America presents highlights from CapitalBop’s converted-warehouse “loft” stage at the 2015 DC Jazz Festival, featuring bands led by vibraphonist Warren Wolf and bassist Kris Funn.

Watch the video below, or follow this link to hear the radio special.

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