The JoGo Project is a genre-blending ensemble inspired by the musical stylings of Chuck Brown. Founded in 2014 by Elijah Jamal Balbed, the band performs all over with the mission of keeping Go-Go music alive. The band features several DC natives, as well as musicians from around the country who have since claimed DC as their home, as you'll hear in the song "DC's Been Good To Me". JoGo is known to put on an eclectic live show that excites and unites audiences of all walks of life.
JoGo Project is proudly managed by The Beat & Path, an artist collective and promotion group based in Washington, DC. For more info, go to http://www.tbandp.com
What is Go-Go?
Go-Go music is the indigenous genre from Washington, DC created by the legendary Chuck Brown - the "Godfather of Go-Go". It is known for a steadily funky beat, heavy percussion, and most notably lots of crowd participation via call and response. Go-Go in DC is like Reggae in Jamaica or Bossa Nova in Brazil. It's the sound of the city!
What is JoGo?
A band trying to keep Jazz and Go-Go musics alive, while making the world a better place. In addition to a band, JoGo is a concept. It's continuing the tradition that Chuck Brown started of taking jazz standards, covers, and even movie/television themes and putting them over a Go-Go beat. Jazz + Go-Go = JoGo!
How was the band formed?
The band was formed by saxophonist Elijah Jamal Balbed as a culmination of his residency at Strathmore in May of 2014. Elijah was fortunate to perform with Chuck for the last year of The Godfather's life, which inspired Elijah to continue Chuck's legacy by starting a group of his own.
Booking:
Photo courtesy of Darwyn Dave Photography
A tribute to Draylen Mason and features some of D.C's top talent. Written by Elijah Balbed and JusPaul, the track unites Go-Go and Jazz with Pop sensibilities
Elijah Balbed - Solo Performance on DC Streetcar
Join the JoGo founder Elijah Balbed this Saturday late night for a SOLO SAX performance on the DC Streetcar!!! Bus departs promptly at 1am, so hop on for a fun-filled ride. Brought to you by Art All Night DC
Join The JoGo Project in Southwest, DC for a set of fun, family friendly live music!! The 202 Arts and Music Festival is brought to you by the DC Council of Arts & Humanities.
6-7pm FREE!
Join The JoGo Project in Northern Virginia for a night of fun, family-friendly live music!!
5-9pm FREE!
The JoGo Project will perform for Show-n-Tell, a monthly independent artist showcase at Club Heaven & Hell! Get your tix now and make sure you mention JoGo as your reference at checkout.
Lubber Run Amphitheater
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Lubber Run Amphitheater, North Columbus Street & 2nd Street North, Arlington, VA
We will be at Franklin Square during lunch time on Thursday, June 15th as a part of the DC Jazz Festival's "Jazz in the Hood" series in conjunction with the Downtown BID. Free and family friendly!
We will kick off the Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival with a set at 2pm sharp! Presented by the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Free and family friendly!
We're excited to come back to our second home - Durham, North Carolina, and this time to celebrate the New Year!! It's going to be a Go-Go party in Durham on New Year's Eve, make sure you're there!!
The JoGo Project is at Marcus Restaurant each and every Thursday night in the MGM National Harbor!! 7-11pm, No Cover.
The JoGo Project is at Marcus Restaurant each and every Thursday night in the MGM National Harbor!! 7-11pm, No Cover.
The JoGo Project is at Marcus Restaurant each and every Thursday night in the MGM National Harbor!! 7-11pm, No Cover.
The JoGo Project will be making its Blues Alley debut in a celebration of the Godfather of Go-Go: Chuck Brown! This is full circle for the JoGo's leader Elijah Balbed, as the first time he performed with Chuck was at this very club in May of 2011. Elijah and the band are honored to be winding Blues Alley up for Chuck on Monday, November 21st, 2016!! Don't sleep.
The NOLA-DC connection continues at the hip new DC venue Ivy City Smokehouse!! Go-Go music and NOLA funk music share a lot in common, we are very much looking forward to this collaboration!
8:30pm // Doors 9:30pm // JoGo 11pm // Tank & the Bangas
$10 Adv $12 Door
Chucktoberfest - Live In-Store Performance
Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center, 11151 Veirs Mill Rd, Wheaton, MD
The JoGo Project will be making an in-store appearance at Chuck Levin's Washington Music Center this Saturday at 4pm, closing out the day-long event Chucktoberfest!
Free and all ages welcomed!
2pm at the 8th Street Stage!
FREE
FREE concert sponsored by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities!!
Dante Pope - Vocals Isaac Bell - Vocals Imani-Grace Cooper - Vocals Elijah Jamal Balbed - Sax Kym Clarke - Trumpet Greg Boyer - Trombone Deante Haggerty-Willis - Guitar Justin Taylor - Keys Eliot Seppa - Bass Stan Banks Jr - Drums Mike Burney - Percussion
and special guest...
SUGAR BEAR!!!
The sound of DC is coming to Durham on FRIDAY 9/2!! Jazz + Go-Go = JoGo
Dante Pope - Vocals Imani-Grace Cooper - Vocals Elijah Jamal Balbed - Sax Al Strong - Trumpet Justin Taylor - Keys Tarus Mateen - Bass Stan Banks - Drums Mike Burney - Percussion
Carter Barron/Fort Dupont Summer Concert Series
Carter Barron Amphitheater , 4850 Colorado Avenue, NW, Washington, DC