Djesben is a word from 1920's Java meaning "jazz band". Djesben (the term) dates from a time when the people of that far-off island were becoming interested in the exciting sounds of jazz blasting out of American dance halls, half a world away. DC’s own Djesben (i.e. the band) dates from 1999, when Washington, DC was celebrating the 100th birthday of one of her greatest native sons, Duke Ellington. We too are involved in rolling those exciting dance-hall sounds out into the world, smuggling back the music of far-away lands in exchange.

Djesben is a trio of multi-instrumentalists whose diverse backgrounds guarantee to delight with a variety of styles: jazz standards, bebop and bossa nova, as well as original tunes influenced by music from around the globe. The instruments of Djesben are not those of the typical jazz trio:

All three have been known to sing, usually led by the dulcet tones of Mr. Crowley. Other instruments played by Djesben members in concert settings have included violin, viola, accordion, harp, guitar, bass, pennywhistle, hammer dulcimer, and some double Stick work.

We have variously been described as: "Rock and roll for little kids," "Iconojazz," "subtle, like honey mustard sourdough pretzels" and "Massage table music".

Read a fan's blog about our music: Sasha's musings.

Hey! We're in the News!

Recently, we've been interviewed, reviewed, and now have press clippings (okay, it's only 1, but we're just getting started!)
Read what the folks at the Greenbelt Patch are saying about us and our music:

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