Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Elijah Jamal Balbed - Lessons from the Streets (2015)


Label: Self Released
Source: Cdbaby


Saxophonist and composer Elijah Jamal Balbed is a native of Washington, DC. He has been named Best Tenor Saxophonist (2013) and Best New Jazz Musician (2010) by the Washington City Paper, and has participated in residencies at the Kennedy Center (Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead), Strathmore, and Bohemian Caverns. Over the last decade, he has established himself as one of the most versatile saxophonists in the DMV area, having performed with artists ranging from McCoy Tyner, Bennie Maupin and Pharoah Sanders, all the way to Lalah Hathaway, Eric Benet and Dr. John. He also worked regularly with the Godfather of Go-Go music, the late Chuck Brown. In 2012, Elijah released his debut album "Checking In", and in 2015 he released his sophomore album as a leader, "Lessons From the Streets".

Elijah performs in and around the DC area with many different groups, and even has a band dedicated to combining elements Jazz and Go-Go musics, called The JoGo Project.


1. Butch Warren
2. Firm Roots
3. What Matters Most (In Life)
4. Lessons from the Streets
5. From the Streets to the Mansion
6. Infant Eyes
7. Sonny Suspended
8. On Green Dolphin Street


Elijah Jamal Balbed - saxophones
Dr. Alex Norris– trumpet
Warren Wolf– vibraphone
Paul Bollenbeck– guitar
Mark Meadows– piano
Kris Funn– bass
Carroll “CV” Dashiell III- drums
Romeir Mendez- bass
Corey Fonville– drums
Alex Brown– piano
Samir Moulay– guitar


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