Jazz Articles about Kamasi Washington

Throttle Elevator Music: Emergency Exit

by Karl Ackermann
July 1, 2020

The sub-genre of “punk jazz" has existed—on paper— since the 1970s when Patti Smith proposed a collaboration with Ornette Coleman. That partnership did not materialize. When all the moving pieces are pulled together there is little substance to suggest that the category ever shared specific practices or conventions. Then, in 2012, Throttle Elevator Music emerged with their self-titled debut (Wide Hive Records). The original group was a trio posing as a quintet. Drums and guitars were manned by Mike “Lumpy" ...

Thundercat: It Is What It Is

by John Bricker
May 2, 2020

If you're looking for some dreamy neo-soul and jazz fusion with a charming sense of humor, no one can satisfy you like Thundercat. Released on April 3, his fourth studio album, It Is What It Is, demonstrates his seemingly limitless confidence and charm as a singer, songwriter and bassist, delivering a solid crop of gorgeous and personal songs. After releasing two acclaimed solo albums and playing some incredible features for artists like Erykah Badu, Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino, Stephen ...

Kamasi Washington at the NorVa

by Mark Robbins
March 16, 2020

Kamasi Washington credits his father, jazz saxophonist Ricky Washington, with his success in the music world. The two stood side by side on the stage of The NorVa in Norfolk, Va fronting the rest of Kamasi's band. Washington came to the forefront with the masterful 2015 album The Epic a combination of R&B, hip-hop, classical and jazz. His 2018 follow up, Heaven and Earth, made many “best of" lists cementing the tenor saxophonist's reputation as an important player on the ...

Kamasi Washington at Academic Community Hall of Hong Kong Baptist University

by Rob Garratt
September 11, 2019

Kamasi Washington Academic Community Hall of Hong Kong Baptist University Jazz World Live Series Hong Kong September 6, 2019 The anointed savior of 21st century jazz, Kamasi Washington is all about size, scale and scope. He writes big, brash, hummable themes, punctuates them with gutsy, garrulous, saxophone solos, and embraces weighty spiritual and sociological themes-- assembling huge groups playing for peace and unity. His big ideas are presented in unwieldy ...

Nate Chinen on jazz criticism and the trouble with defining music

by Leo Sidran
May 15, 2019

Kamasi Washington at the Ogden Theatre

by Geoff Anderson
November 6, 2018

Kamasi Washington Ogden Theatre Denver, CO October 26, 2018 Kamasi Washington is an ambitious guy. His first major label album was a 3-CD release running 173 minutes, The Epic (Brainfeeder, 2015). He followed that up with a mere 6-song release, but most recently came out with yet another 3-CD set Heaven and Earth (Young Turks, 2018). Obviously, he has a lot to say. It's not just the amount of music he releases that's ...

Playing Changes by Nate Chinen

by Joe Dimino
October 29, 2018

This week we look at a great new book, “Playing Changes" by Nate Chinen. The show begins with a cut by Arthur Blythe, “Jitterbug Waltz" and moves right on into a more recent cut from Kamasi Washington off his CD The Epic. The program goes on highlighting artists featured in each chapter of this groundbreaking book on the continuing evolution of jazz music around the world. Also featured on the show is Brad Mehldau with a song ...