Janel Leppin’s The Realist / Red Sunflower

About

Janel Leppin is one of the District’s finest bandleaders, harnessing a nuanced sensibility in both her compositions and improvisations that produces restless, complex sonic textures, which range from lush and beautiful to sharp and arresting. She’s widely respected in the DMV area for her work leading her Ensemble Volcanic Ash, and as half of the power duo Janel and Anthony (with guitarist Anthony Pirog). Here she performs selections from her September 2026 album The Realist, a trio project featuring bassist Devra Hoff and drummer Chad Taylor. They take on a laid back contemporary jazz sound, layered with rich basslines, lyrical cello instrumentation and indie rock textures. Red Sunflower is a D.C. instrumental noise and experimental trio, with brother Kiyan Saifi and Teymour Saifi on guitar and bass, respectively, and Jaden Shahin on drums.