Jazz at The Earl: Jeff Walton Quartet X Tristan Cappel

Tristan Cappel is a deeply passionate and sought-after multi-instrumentalist. He seeks to musically and energetically uplift every environment he is fortunate to be a part of.
Currently, Tristan is gearing up for his sophomore album, North Star, releasing late May 2026. The record is a major step in his development as a composer, producer, and artist, and will feature several notable contemporaries, such as Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Telemakus, Kyla Moscovich, Adam Hersh, Andrew Renfroe, Alex Sil, Max Gerl, and Myles Martin.

2025 was a deeply rewarding and fulfilling year. In December 2025, he joined Sasha Berliner at SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium. In November 2025, he joined the Coltrane Home in Berkeley, CA in ‘Divine Offering’ celebrating the legacy of Alice Coltrane. He also joined bassist and composer Aubrey Situmorang (Billy Childs) in her sold-out Los Angeles bandleader debut. In September 2025, he began the recording process for his next album, North Star. In July 2025, he married the love of his life, Samantha Cappel! That same month, he joined Michelle Coltrane at the Hartford Jazz Festival and recorded lead woodwinds in the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra’s upcoming record, produced by Stanley Clarke. In June 2025, he joined Sly5thAve at Grand Performances in ‘CALIFORNIA LOVE: An Orchestral Celebration of Dr. Dre.’ In May 2025, he debuted a new trio with Telemakus and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. In March 2025, he was a part of “Everybody’s LIVE with John Mulaney,” featuring Cypress Hill + Orchestra. In February 2025, he joined Michelle Coltrane and the Coltrane Home at the HAMMER Museum, Los Angeles, for their Alice Coltrane, Monument Eternal.

In November of 2024, Tristan joined A Tribute to MF DOOM at the Camp Flog Gnaw festival, led by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, featuring Erykah Badu, Madlib, Karriem Riggins, and Daedelus. In September 2024, he played the Hollywood Bowl with Imagine Dragons and the LA Film Orchestra. In July 2024, he performed with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra in a Henry Mancini tribute featuring Michael Bublé, Cynthia Erivo, and Dave Koz. Other career highlights include touring the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand with Postmodern Jukebox and performing at festivals such as the Detroit Jazz Festival, Iowa City Jazz Festival, Hartford Jazz Festival, and Java Jazz Festival in Indonesia.

As a performer, Tristan is a regular collaborator with Michelle Coltrane, Telemakus, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Sicnarf, Adam Hersh, Emiliano Lasansky, Minta Spencer, and the Marlonius Jazz Orchestra.

In varying contexts, he has performed with Imagine Dragons, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Olivia Dean, Sasha Berliner, Sly5thAve, Bruno Mars, Aubrey Situmorang, Bernadette Peters, John Daversa, Gary Novak, Robert Hurst, Daru Jones, Cypress Hill, Junior H, Gunhild Carling, Hugh Jackman, Emiliano Lasansky, Javier Santiago, Anthony Fung, Aaron Janik, Andy Prado Jr., Ollie Lopez, Marlon Martinez, Joe La Barbara, Gary Burton (U of M), and Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. He has performed with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the LA Film Orchestra, and the Pasadena Pops Symphony.

As a recording artist, Tristan has contributed woodwinds for artists such as Lana Del Rey, Don Toliver, Laufey, Christina Aguilera, H.E.R., Danielle Ponder, Samara Cyn, Smino, Mick Jenkins, Stanley Clarke, Sasha Berliner, Telemakus, Beat Butcha, Willy Yanez, EMIL, Kyla Moscovich, Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Om’Mas Kieth, Sa-Ra Creative Partners, Lizzo, Sacha Carlson, Daru Jones, Tai Verdes, Black Pumas, Quelle Rox, Jazzbois, Adam Hersh, and Greg Shilling.

In the film and television side of things, Tristan has contributed woodwinds for composers such as Keith Power, Zach Robinson, Leo Birenberg, Inon Zur, Jeff Toyne, Max Berlin, Adam Schwartz, and Jeff Russo. Notably, he contributed to The Accountant 2, and Jeff Toyne’s Emmy-winning theme music for Apple TV’s Palm Royale.

In theater, Tristan has played in the pit orchestras for numerous touring Broadway productions, including the U.S. debut of Sondheim’s Old Friends, Mean Girls, Company, A Christmas Story, Chicago, Finding Neverland, Anastasia, A Strange Loop, Funny Girl, Hello, Dolly!, Cats, Some Like it Hot, and Aladdin.

Known as a creative playground for visual arts, comedy, literature, and classical music, The Earl is thrilled to launch "Jazz At The Earl," a new jazz series in partnership with saxophonist and composer Jeff Walton.
Fresh off the success of their album release show at The Earl, the Jeff Walton Quartet will be in residency each month - joined by a guest artist who brings their unique voice and compositions to the bandstand. Past guest artists include Nicole McCabe, Jon Hatamiya, Julien Knowles, and Devin Daniels.
Come to enjoy the music, sip on a drink, and support a new scene in LA! You might enjoy it as much as Teresa:
"It was so much fun to hear Jeff and his band play! The way they reinterpreted the songs on the record to fit the live atmosphere made it feel like a wholly unique experience for the audience. Excited to check out a future performance!"
-Teresa Tuan, TV writer and physician
Photos by Craig Allyn.

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