Truth In This Art Podcast - Your Source for Conversations with Artists, Innovators, Creatives & Cultural Leaders

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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This program is supported (in part) by a grant from the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

If you have a story about art, culture, or community, share it with us at rob@thetruthinthisart.com for a chance to be featured on 'The Truth In This Art' podcast.

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Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard.

Episode illustration by Alley Kid Art.

About "The Truth In This Art"

"The Truth In This Art," hosted by Rob Lee, is a podcast that explores the essence of creativity and its community impact, amplifying artists' voices and their profound stories.

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