Kamasi Washington

Biography

Kamasi Washington, born February 18, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, was raised in a deeply musical household—his father Rickey is a saxophonist and his mother a flutist—immersing him in jazz from an early age. He began on drums and piano, moved to clarinet at age seven, and ultimately settled on the tenor saxophone at twelve, following in his father's footsteps. Washington attended the Academy of Music at Alexander Hamilton High School, where he joined the Multi-School Jazz Band under teacher Reggie Andrews, connecting with future collaborators like Stephen 'Thundercat' Bruner and Ronald Bruner Jr. He furthered his studies at UCLA, focusing on ethnomusicology and gaining experience with jazz legends such as Kenny Burrell and Billy Higgins[1][3][5][7].

Washington's career accelerated as he became a central figure in the West Coast Get Down collective, recording prolifically and collaborating across genres. He contributed to Kendrick Lamar's Grammy-winning 'To Pimp a Butterfly' and released his own landmark debut, 'The Epic,' in 2015—a three-disc, 172-minute exploration that won the American Music Prize and redefined contemporary jazz. His subsequent works, including 'Harmony of Difference,' 'Heaven and Earth,' and 'Fearless Movement,' have been critically acclaimed, and his score for Michelle Obama's Netflix documentary 'Becoming' earned Emmy and Grammy nominations[1][2][6].

Washington's musical style blends spiritual jazz, post-bop, fusion, and elements from hip-hop, classical, and soul, reflecting his belief in music as a force for connection and social change. He is celebrated for revitalizing jazz for new audiences, both as a solo artist and through collaborations with artists such as Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dogg, Chaka Khan, and the supergroup Dinner Party. His legacy is marked by a commitment to creative collaboration and innovation, bridging generations and genres[1][4][6].

Fun Facts

• Kamasi Washington won the John Coltrane Saxophone Competition as a teenager, signaling his early promise as a jazz saxophonist.
• He recorded over 190 songs in a single month-long studio session with the West Coast Get Down collective, resulting in material for multiple albums.
• Kamasi contributed a cover of Metallica’s 'My Friend of Misery' for the Metallica Blacklist project, showcasing his versatility beyond jazz.
• His short film 'As Told To G/D Thyself,' a companion to his album 'Heaven and Earth,' premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Rickey Washington - Kamasi's father, a saxophonist and music teacher, provided early musical guidance and inspiration. (Kamasi's early training and exposure to jazz standards.) [Childhood through present]
• Reggie Andrews - High school jazz band director who mentored Kamasi and introduced him to key collaborators. (Multi-School Jazz Band) [Late 1990s]
• Kenny Burrell & Billy Higgins - Professors at UCLA who influenced Kamasi's jazz technique and musical philosophy. (UCLA ethnomusicology program performances) [Early 2000s]

Key Collaborators

• Stephen 'Thundercat' Bruner - Bassist and member of West Coast Get Down; frequent collaborator since childhood. (The Epic, West Coast Get Down projects) [1990s–present]
• Ronald Bruner Jr. - Drummer and member of West Coast Get Down; childhood friend and bandmate. (The Epic, West Coast Get Down projects) [1990s–present]
• Terrace Martin - Saxophonist/producer; collaborator on Dinner Party and Kendrick Lamar projects. (Dinner Party, To Pimp a Butterfly) [2010s–present]
• Robert Glasper - Pianist; co-founder of Dinner Party supergroup. (Dinner Party EPs) [2020–present]
• Kendrick Lamar - Hip-hop artist; Kamasi contributed saxophone and arrangements. (To Pimp a Butterfly) [2015]
• Herbie Hancock - Jazz legend; performed and recorded together. (Live performances, collaborative sessions) [2010s–present]

Artists Influenced

• Flying Lotus - Kamasi's fusion of jazz and electronic music influenced Flying Lotus's Brainfeeder label aesthetic. (Brainfeeder collaborations, label releases) [2010s–present]
• Younger members of West Coast Get Down - Kamasi's leadership and vision have shaped the collective's approach to jazz and improvisation. (West Coast Get Down albums and live performances) [2010s–present]
• Emerging jazz musicians - Kamasi's genre-blending style and collaborative ethos have inspired a new generation of jazz artists. (Various contemporary jazz releases) [2015–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. From My Heart And My Soul (feat. Tarriona Tank Ball & Phoelix) (Dinner Party: Dessert)
2. Freeze Tag (feat. Phoelix) (Dinner Party)
3. No Excuses (feat. Ludwig Göransson & Kamasi Washington) (Bando Stone and The New World)
4. Sleepless Nights (feat. Phoelix) (Dinner Party)
5. From My Heart and My Soul (feat. Phoelix) (Dinner Party)
6. Song For Fraser
7. Love You Bad (feat. Malaya & Phoelix) (Dinner Party: Dessert)
8. First Responders (Dinner Party)
9. Street Fighter Mas (Heaven and Earth)
10. wanted (ceremonial contrafact (empathogen deluxe))

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bebop, #contemporary-jazz, #jazz