Jazz Supergroup Dinner Party Announces Album 'Watchu Bringing?'
Jazz supergroup Dinner Party announces new album 'Watchu Bringing?' — here's what DC's jazz scene and beyond needs to know about the project.
In brief
Jazz supergroup Dinner Party — the genre-defying collective of Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, and 9th Wonder — has announced a new album called 'Watchu Bringing?' The project is the group's most anticipated release since their 2021 EP Enigmatic Society and arrives as jazz continues its commercial and cultural resurgence across the country and right here in Washington, DC.
Key Takeaways
Dinner Party — Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, and 9th Wonder — has officially announced a new studio album titled Watchu Bringing?
The announcement marks the supergroup's first new album project since the 2021 EP Enigmatic Society, extending one of jazz's most celebrated modern collaborations.
The album title signals the collective's signature interrogative energy — music that challenges listeners to show up fully, creatively and emotionally.
DC's jazz ecosystem, from Blues Alley in Georgetown to the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, stands to feel the cultural ripple of a major new jazz release in 2026.
Robert Glasper's cross-genre gravitational pull — connecting jazz, hip-hop, and R&B — makes this release a bellwether for where Black American music moves next.
Who Is Dinner Party and Why Does This Album Matter?
Dinner Party is not a band in the conventional sense — it is a summit. When Terrace Martin, the Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and Kendrick Lamar collaborator, linked with pianist and cultural provocateur Robert Glasper, saxophonist and spiritual jazz titan Kamasi Washington, and North Carolina producer and HipHopDX Hall of Famer 9th Wonder, the result was less a recording session than a musical reckoning.
Their self-titled 2020 debut, released through Sounds of Crenshaw and distributed by EMPIRE, earned widespread critical acclaim for collapsing the walls between jazz improvisation, boom-bap production, and neo-soul lyricism. The follow-up EP Enigmatic Society in 2021 deepened that fusion. Now, Watchu Bringing? arrives as the group's most provocative title yet — a direct challenge issued to the listener before the first note drops.
For context on why this resonates beyond music circles, track the DC Power Players Index — Robert Glasper, in particular, has become one of the most politically and culturally cited musicians in conversations about the future of Black American artistry, a conversation Washington, DC has always had an outsized role in shaping.
DC's Jazz Scene and the 'Watchu Bringing?' Moment
Washington, DC is not a passive observer of jazz's current renaissance — it is one of its engines. Blues Alley in Georgetown, operating since 1965, remains one of the oldest jazz supper clubs in the nation and has hosted legends from Dizzy Gillespie to Wynton Marsalis. The Kennedy Center on the Potomac dedicated an entire programming pillar — Jazz at the Kennedy Center — to keeping the tradition vital. And Howard University's jazz program, rooted in the Shaw neighborhood's deep musical legacy, continues producing graduates who reshape the genre.
According to the Kennedy Center's jazz education resources, jazz's origins are inseparable from Black American community and expression — the exact current Dinner Party channels into every track. When an album like Watchu Bringing? drops, DC venues, bookers, and listeners pay attention immediately.
The city's music ecosystem has diversified sharply. From the Miracle Theatre in Capitol Hill to Eaton DC on K Street NW — which has hosted intimate jazz and experimental music nights — DC audiences have demonstrated sophisticated appetite for exactly the kind of genre-fluid Black music Dinner Party produces. See our full breakdown at the WDCM DC Nightlife Report.
Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington, and the New Jazz Economy
The commercial landscape for jazz has shifted dramatically. Kamasi Washington's 2015 triple album The Epic — released on Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label — proved that jazz could command the kind of listener devotion previously reserved for hip-hop and indie rock. Robert Glasper's 2022 Grammy win for Best R&B Album with Black Radio III demonstrated jazz musicians could compete directly in mainstream award categories without diluting their craft.
That Grammy moment, covered extensively by NPR Music, signaled a broader industry acknowledgment: jazz-rooted artists are not niche. They are the vanguard. Watchu Bringing? enters this marketplace with serious commercial potential precisely because Dinner Party has never pandered — and audiences have rewarded that integrity with loyalty.
9th Wonder's production sensibility, honed across decades of hip-hop collaboration with artists from Jay-Z to Little Brother, gives the collective a rhythmic foundation that makes their music accessible to listeners who might never otherwise sit with a jazz record. That cross-pollination is the album's structural advantage before a single has dropped.
Why This Matters in Washington, DC
Washington, DC holds a particular cultural claim on jazz and its political dimensions. Duke Ellington — born at 1212 T Street NW in Shaw — remains the city's greatest musical export, a man who used jazz as diplomatic currency across Cold War-era State Department tours. That tradition of music as message is alive in everything Dinner Party releases.
When Glasper and Washington engage with questions of Black identity, institutional power, and creative freedom — which their music consistently does — they are participating in a conversation DC has been having since the U Street Corridor was called Black Broadway. The announcement of Watchu Bringing? is not just a music industry news item. For DC's creative class, its policy professionals, and its HBCU community centered at Howard University, it is a cultural event with genuine resonance.
The city's relationship to this supergroup also runs through its institutions. The Library of Congress Jazz Oral History Project, headquartered on Capitol Hill, has documented the genre's evolution as American heritage — and artists like Dinner Party are already part of that contemporary archive whether formally recognized yet or not.
What to Expect From 'Watchu Bringing?'
The album title alone is a creative statement. Watchu Bringing? flips the burden of engagement back onto the audience — a posture consistent with how all four members approach their individual work. Terrace Martin has spoken in interviews about music as a communal contract. Glasper has built an entire aesthetic around refusing to let listeners remain passive.
WDCM's original analysis: if the album follows the sonic arc from the debut to Enigmatic Society, expect deeper rhythmic complexity, expanded vocal features, and thematic content engaging directly with post-2024 American political and cultural life. Given that all four members are outspoken on social issues — and that Glasper and Washington in particular have not shied from commenting on institutional racism, creative gatekeeping, and community survival — Watchu Bringing? could land as one of the definitive cultural documents of 2026. Track this release on our Culture desk.
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FAQ: Dinner Party's New Album 'Watchu Bringing?'
Who are the members of the jazz supergroup Dinner Party? Dinner Party consists of four artists: Terrace Martin (multi-instrumentalist and producer), Robert Glasper (pianist and producer), Kamasi Washington (saxophonist), and 9th Wonder (hip-hop producer and DJ). All four are established solo artists who collaborate under the Dinner Party banner.
What is the name of Dinner Party's new album? The new album is titled Watchu Bringing? It is the group's first full album project since their 2021 EP Enigmatic Society and their most anticipated release since their critically acclaimed 2020 self-titled debut.
When did Dinner Party release their first album? Dinner Party released their self-titled debut album in 2020 through Sounds of Crenshaw and EMPIRE distribution. They followed it with the EP Enigmatic Society in 2021. Watchu Bringing? marks their next major studio project.
Why is the Dinner Party album significant for Washington, DC's jazz scene? DC has one of the country's deepest jazz legacies — from Duke Ellington's Shaw neighborhood roots to Blues Alley in Georgetown and Jazz at the Kennedy Center. A major Dinner Party release energizes local venues, Howard University's music community, and DC's broader creative economy, which has long treated jazz as both art form and cultural identity.
What genre is Dinner Party's music? Dinner Party operates at the intersection of jazz, hip-hop, neo-soul, and R&B. Their music resists single-genre classification, which is part of their critical appeal. Robert Glasper's Grammy-winning work and Kamasi Washington's spiritual jazz influence combine with 9th Wonder's boom-bap production sensibility and Terrace Martin's studio versatility to create a sound that is distinctly their own.
Where can DC residents see Dinner Party or related artists perform live? DC's top jazz and live music venues include Blues Alley in Georgetown, the Kennedy Center's various stages on the Potomac, Eaton DC on K Street NW, and the Miracle Theatre on Capitol Hill. Check venue schedules directly for upcoming Dinner Party-affiliated bookings as the album rollout develops.
What to Watch Next: As Watchu Bringing? moves toward release, watch for single drops, potential DC-area tour dates, and Robert Glasper's ongoing commentary on the album's themes. The Kennedy Center and Blues Alley would be natural homes for a Dinner Party live engagement in the District. WDCM's Culture Desk will track every development — follow our Culture and Power Moves tags for updates.
The bottom line: Dinner Party's announcement of Watchu Bringing? is the most significant jazz supergroup news of 2026 so far. Four of the most consequential voices in contemporary Black American music are back, and the title alone signals they are not interested in playing it safe. For DC — a city that invented jazz diplomacy and never stopped speaking fluent improvisation — this album is personal.
Reporting drawn from: Consequence of Sound. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
