It's been a while! Gigs tonight, Saturday, and in November 🎶

Returning to 9:30 Club + working on my jazz chops.

Author

Jamie Sandel
October 22, 2025

Hi mailing list! It’s been months since I last wrote — I’ve been playing gigs here and there throughout the summer and fall (as sideman or bandmate) but haven’t remembered to send out a newsletter. I’m happy that things are heating up a bit, so wanted to send a super quick heads-up for anyone who might want to come out!

Hope everyone’s staying safe out there. If you’re looking for a place to put your frustration and anxiety about the masked thugs running roughshod over our city, I’d love if you joined me in the Migrant Solidary Mutual Aid community, doing what we can to make our targeted neighbors feel less alone.

The late and great Aaron Martin‘s words are still with me:

“We play music that is anti-racist — anti-capitalist — and anti-imperialist!”

Art alone saves nothing, but nothing can be saved without art. It’s been a tough handful of months for me, and I know I’m not alone. I’m hoping to fuel my own spirit with music-making this fall, and I hope I can help some other folks too.

SHOWS COMING UP

Wednesday 10/22 (TODAY), 7-9p — Abe Mamet Trio @ St. Vincent Wine
Free! A jazz standards gig with my brother Abe. I’m on upright bass. More info here.

Saturday 10/25, 11-1p — Jamie Sandel Trio @ La Coop Cafe Kennedy St.
Free! Low-key gig at my neighborhood cafe, booked by Charvis at HR Records and sponsored by the local Main Street / BID / whatever. I’m leading the group on violin. Mostly jazz standards but possibly the odd original composition thrown in.

Tuesday 11/4, doors 7p — Evil @ 9:30 Club (opening for Minus the Bear)
Very very stoked to return for my second 9:30 Club show, backing up a very cool artist for the first time and opening for Minus the Bear. This is an added show — the 11/5 show with the Messthetics opening(!) sold out — so if you want to come, grab them tix ASAP! Ticket link/info here.

Wednesday 11/19, 7p — Abe Mamet & Friends @ Rhizome DC
Returning to Rhizome with Abe to play his amazing septet music again, which features me on fully acoustic violin, which is a rarity for me these days! More info/tickets here.

OTHER UPDATES

The CapitalBop video program is off to the races! I’ve released a ton of edits of footage from our archive, complete with fresh mix/masters on the audio. There’s a ton of good stuff, like this recent installation featuring steel pan virtuoso Victor Provost:

Also — BIG congrats to my bro Jose Luiz Martins for winning the DC JazzPrix at this year’s DC Jazz Festival!! I had the privilege of doing an in-studio filming with Jose Luiz last year as he recorded his latest album, Odyssey Mixtape (which was featured on NPR shortly after it dropped this spring!)

I’m really proud of how the product came out. Check it out: