Elijah Jamal Balbed (a.k.a. EJB) is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, curator, and bandleader from Washington, DC. A graduate of Howard University's legendary Jazz program, Elijah has since established himself as an in-demand player in DC, Baltimore, Philly, and New York. Elijah has participated in residencies at Strathmore, Bohemian Caverns, Keystone Korner, The Kennedy Center (Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead), and Jazz at Lincoln Center in Doha, Qatar. As a sideman, Elijah has performed, recorded, and/or toured with Chuck Brown (RIP), George Duke (RIP), Patti Austin, Lalah Hathaway, Jazzmeia Horn, The Revive Big Band, Winard Harper, John Swana, Cyrus Chestnut, Butch Warren, The Blackbyrds, and others. After spending a year in Chuck Brown's band, Elijah was inspired to start his own band fusing DC's Go-Go music with elements of bebop and straight ahead jazz called The JoGo Project. The band celebrates 10 years this year and has become a mainstay in the DC area. As a solo artist, Elijah has released 3 albums: Checking In (2012), Lessons From the Streets (2015), and The Karma Suite (2019). In 2021, Elijah created an outdoor pop-up series during the pandemic called "JazzMob DC", which was featured in The Washington Post. In 2022, Elijah was appointed the Curator of Jazz at The Kreeger Museum in DC. In 2023, he performed with Ms. Lauryn Hill at Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts. In 2024, Elijah performed on the Soul Train Cruise with The Temptations. Currently, Elijah performs with the Chuck Brown Band, The JoGo Project, Bryan Eng Sextet, Tim Brey Sextet, and Fran Vielma Jazz Orchestra. For more info go to www.ejbjazz.com or follow @ejbjazz on all social platforms.