Jimmy Mac Entertainment

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – BJ Simmons Releases Trapped In: A D.C.-Rooted, Genre-Bending Masterpiece Featuring 15 Collaborators

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 26, 2025 — Saxophonist, composer, producer, and longtime Washington, D.C. creative force BJ Simmons has officially released his third solo album, Trapped In, now streaming on all major platforms. With 15 dynamic collaborators across jazz, hip-hop, gospel, and R&B, the album showcases Simmons’ signature sound: bold, emotional, and deeply grounded in D.C.’s cultural fabric.

The release follows Simmons’ spotlight performance at last year’s DC Jazz Festival, where he played to a crowd at Transit Pier with his We Wear the Mask ensemble. His reputation as a genre-bridging artist continues to grow as Trapped In delivers a cinematic soundscape marked by moody production, acrobatic sax solos, and raw lyricism.

“Trapped In is about creative tension—the weight of unexpressed thoughts, the isolation of being in your head—and what happens when you finally let it out,” Simmons says.

Featured Collaborators Include:

Warren Wolf – Internationally renowned vibraphonist and San Francisco Jazz standout – on the haunting and percussive meditation “What Remains After the Fire”
Brandon Woody – Celebrated trumpeter and recent Blue Note Records signee – on the spiritually charged “Live In It”
Black Cobain & Swavé – On the head-knocking opener “After Party,” fusing lyrical grit with groove-heavy instrumentation
Tarus Mateen & Allyn Johnson – On the hypnotic standout “Dopplegänger,” where modern jazz meets deep rhythmic pocket
Imani-Grace Cooper & BJONSAX* – On the soul-stirring “Saturday,” blending poetic delivery with reflective harmonies
Melani N. Douglass – Brings captivating vocal clarity and urgency to “Wake Up Movement II,” one of the album’s signature inspirational pieces
Tamika Love Jones – Joins Warren Wolf on “Remains,” delivering a fierce, multifaceted performance—bot
Khemist – Rapper, poet, and 2020 John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner – on “Camouflage,” delivering a lyrical deep dive into the plight of homelessness

This is not a feature-for-feature’s-sake record. Every artist was carefully selected for their ability to push narrative and texture, contributing to a cohesive yet genre-fluid journey from start to finish.

A Hometown Heavyweight

Born and raised in D.C. and a proud graduate of Coolidge High School, BJ Simmons is no stranger to the city’s music circles. From Blues Alley to The Kennedy Center, Howard Theatre to DC JazzFest, Simmons has performed at nearly every major venue and festival in the District—and far beyond. His international résumé includes playing the U.S. Open with Andre Agassi, touring with Wale, Millie Jackson, and Harvey Mason, and even holding a creative residency in Bahrain, where he helped launch nightlife and live music experiences with royalty and restaurant moguls.

Still, Simmons remains committed to D.C.—teaching music to middle school students on Capitol Hill, mentoring young talent, and building bridges between genres.

“I’m not just from D.C.—I’m of D.C.,” he says. “Jazz, hip-hop, gospel, go-go—I grew up with all of it. That blend is who I am, and it shows up in every track.”

Standout Tracks on Trapped In

“After Party” – A dark, propulsive intro that sets the emotional tone
“Dopplegänger” – Classic jazz meets a dreamlike headspace
“Saturday” – A meditation on healing, lifted by Imani-Grace Cooper’s vocals

The Momentum Is Building

With Trapped In, Simmons isn’t asking for a reintroduction—he’s staking his claim. He’s a musician’s musician with global polish and local loyalty, and this release makes clear he’s ready to become a household name in his own city and beyond. Trapped In is available on Saturday, July 26, 2025 on BandCamp, Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and all streaming platforms.

BJ Simmons – Quick Highlights

Fourth-generation Washingtonian blending jazz, hip-hop, go-go, gospel, and soul with D.C. authenticity and global polish
Marched with the Norfolk State Spartan Legion; holds a degree from NSU and a Master’s in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University
Completed a 2-year artist residency in Bahrain, curating nightlife and performing for royalty and international audiences—including the Bahrain Jazz Festival
Released three genre-blending albums: Acronyms, We Wear the Mask, and Trapped In (2025)
2022 Wammie Award winner for Jazz
Profiled by the Washington City Paper (Oct. 1, 2024) as “a musician’s musician” poised to become a household name in D.C.
Featured at major events including the DC Jazz Festival, Richmond Jazz Festival, and AFRAM Festival
Collaborated live with Wale, Rakim, Harvey Mason, and the Illharmonic Orchestra
National TV appearances on BET and CBS
Music educator on Capitol Hill, mentoring D.C.’s next generation of artists