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Exploring the World of Music with Elijah Jamal Balbed: From Globetrotting Saxophonist to Inspiring Musical Journey

The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
The Truth In This Art: Stories That Matter
Episode • Apr 26, 2021 • 32m

Welcome to "The Truth in This Art." I'm your host, Rob Lee, and I’m thrilled to introduce our next guest: Elijah Jamal Balbed: A Globetrotting Saxophonist and Versatile Musician from Washington, DC. An esteemed alumnus of Howard University's Jazz program, Elijah has earned numerous accolades, including Artist of the Year, Best Tenor Saxophonist, and Best New Jazz Musician by the Washington City Paper. He has graced stages across the world, from the Middle East to Russia, Japan, Jamaica, South America, the U.K., and various states in North America. Elijah's musical journey has seen him collaborate with a diverse range of artists, from jazz legends like Bennie Maupin to contemporary stars like Lalah Hathaway and Fantasia from American Idol. Notably, he shared the stage with the late Chuck Brown, the Godfather of Go-Go music, during the final year of Brown's life.

In this episode, we uncover:

  • The profound impact of music, a universal language that transcends borders and resonates with people from diverse cultures worldwide. Discover how music becomes a powerful tool for connection and appreciation across different parts of the world.
  • An insightful discussion on how artists utilize their creative platforms to incorporate political messaging into their music, enabling them to address and reflect on the pressing issues of their time with boldness and authenticity.
  • Delve into the essential aspect of an artist's life – the art of balancing office work and creative endeavors. Gain valuable insights on how maintaining this equilibrium fuels passion and creativity, ensuring a thriving artistic journey.
  • Experience the transformative and fulfilling process of artistic pursuits in this engaging episode. Delve into the joys and challenges artists encounter along their creative paths, highlighting how every step taken towards their goals is as rewarding as the final outcome.
  • An inspiring discussion on the core virtues of dedication and perseverance in an artist's life. Explore how these qualities play a pivotal role in overcoming obstacles and propelling artists toward achieving their dreams and aspirations.


Join us for an engaging episode as Elijah shares his inspiring musical journey from a young age in a musical household to attending Howard University and immersing himself in the jazz scene of Washington, DC. Drawing inspiration from emotions and societal issues, Elijah's compositions feature powerful messages through speech samples from politicians like the late Elijah Cummings. Despite challenges, he believes in the importance of an artist's duty to speak to the times they are living in. Elijah's advice to aspiring artists is to stay dedicated to their craft, embrace the journey, and persist in their artistic pursuits, even during difficult times like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

  • Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
  • Edited by Daniel Alexis
  • Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

  • Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
  • Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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