Why Kamasi Washington is the Hottest Name in Music
By Ben Youngerman, ArtsQuest Marketing Manager
In a music scene where pop starlets and flash-in-the-pan YouTube stars reign supreme, it’s not typical for a jazz musician with a 3-hour long debut album to be the hottest name in music. But Kamasi Washington has bucked the trends. How? Simply by being that undeniably great at his craft.
The 35-year-old saxophonist has played with Kendrick Lamar, Herbie Hancock, Lauryn Hill, Snoop Dog, Chaka Khan and many more. Kamasi Washington seems destined for those levels of stardom himself. Don’t just take our word for it, continue below to see how much other people are raving about him. Or see him for yourself when Kamasi Washington plays at SteelStacks on Saturday, May 7 as part of the RiverJazz Festival presented by Concannon Miller!
The Epic LP was one of the best albums of 2015…
#22 – Mashable’s “30 best albums of 2015”
“There really is something for everyone in this epic, ambitious and extremely exciting triumph of modern jazz.”
#8 – The Guardian’s “Best albums of 2015”
“The Epic wasn’t only massive in scale and scope, it also sounded unlike anything else released in 2015.”
#2 – Okayplayer’s “Top 15 Albums of 2015”
“The nearly three-hour album, which is anchored by a 10-piece jazz band, a 32-piece orchestra and a 20-member choir, can be called no less than epic.”
Kamasi Helped Kendrick Lamar craft the mega-successful album To Pimp a Butterfly…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DDP-aHmEcc
Kamasi set Coachella on fire this year…
(and Will Do the Same at Bonnaroo)
Just got chills watching @KamasiW's #Coachella2016 set – via iPhone. Can only imagine it hi-fi live. pic.twitter.com/9zvz9VLUXn
— Randall Roberts (@LilEdit) April 18, 2016
Kamasi Washington schooling those Lil kids in real music at Coachella. Dope set of jazz jams. Fire.
— MATEO B. (@Agave310) April 18, 2016
Face covered in sweat but arms covered in goosebumps thanks to Kamasi Washington @coachella pic.twitter.com/EnU5ctzakh
— Krystal Rodriguez (@KrystalllRose) April 17, 2016
