Tristan Cappel is a saxophonist, flutist, clarinetist, composer, and producer from Detroit, MI. He is currently based in Los Angeles, CA.
Tristan’s debut jazz album ‘Wanderlust’ released June 7th 2024. The album features his compositions and voice as a composer and improviser. The record showcases Los Angeles musicians Adam Hersh, Randal Fisher, Marlon Martinez, & Tim Rachbach.
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.
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 Sitamorang (Billy Childs) in her sold out Los Angeles bandleader debut. In September 2025, he begun the recording process for his next album, featuring Adam Hersh, Max Gerl, Myles Martin, Alex Sil, Andrew Renfroe, Telemakus, Kyla Moscovich, and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, releasing 2026. 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 the 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, 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, John Daversa, Gary Novak, Javier Santiago, Anthony Fung, Aaron Janik, Andy Prado Jr., Ollie Lopez, Robert Hurst, Daru Jones, Cypress Hill, Junior H, Gunhild Carling, Hugh Jackman, 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 Ray, Don Toliver, Christina Aguilera, H.E.R., Samara Cyn, Smino, Mick Jenkins, Stanley Clarke, Tai Verdes, Black Pumas, Sasha Berliner, Telemakus, Beat Butcha, Willy Yanez, EMIL, Kyla Moscovich, Robert DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots), Lizzo, Sacha Carlson, Daru Jones, Quelle Rox, Jazzbois, Adam Hersh, and Greg Shilling.
In the film and television side of things, Tristan has contributed woodwinds for composers such as Kieth Power, Zach Robinson, Leo Birenberg, Inon Zur, Jeff Toyne, and Jeff Russo. Notably, he contributed to 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.