Kamasi Washington

After seeing/hearing Kamasi a few months ago at the Flynn theater, also in Burlington, I couldn't believe he was going to play at The Higher Ground. I HAD to go. A more intimate place could not be found to watch this master musician and his band of troubadours entertain. WOW. He filled the space with magic and soul. He is a man who loves musical conversations and knows how to initiate them. He is a pilot, in control of every notion in the air. The evening started off with Re Run and just rolled into a tireless progression of songs after. Brandon Coleman (keyboards) fronted The Next Step and endured being taunted by his nick name "Hot Sauce." Aptly named, that song was smoking! Ryan Porter, trombone player and long time friend of Kamasi (most of his band are childhood friends!) released an album called Spangle Lang Lane featuring reworked Nursery Rhymes. Kamasi warned that the next song, Little Boy Blue, was not for children, but I disagree. It was beautifully sung by enchantress Patrice Quinn and is worth playing to anyone, aged 1 minute to 100+. Next up was a drum conversation between Ronald Bruner Jr. and Robert -sorry, I couldn't catch his last name, the two drummers on stage, called Magnificent 7 Pops. Both drummers were out of this world and on stage alone, yet playing music with only drums. The band returned to play three more pieces, Humility, Truth and The Rhythm Changes, celebrating diversity, all instruments playing separate melodies. It brought the heavens down. They played one long encore. There are not enough adjectives to describe this perfect evening with Kamasi and his entourage. Midway through the concert, Kamasi's father was introduced and played Soprano Sax and flute. His young piano player was a welcome addition and the bass player, another name I didn't catch, added a great solo in the song Humility. At the end of the evening the band mingled with those of us who hung around and I got to see the medallion Kamasi was wearing up close. I asked him about it and he said it was an astrolabe. Truthfully, the man knows how to navigate through space and is a true astronaut pointing out celestial manifestations of sound to each passenger who happens to be onboard for the ride. I highly recommend you to catch the ship, as it is worth the trip. Opening for Kamasi was a great new band called Lady Moon. Check them out also.

I had some apprehension last night despite being very excited. Could Next Step recreate the vastness of The Epic without the choir and orchestra. I shouldn't have worried. The Next Step filled the Barbican and more. Almost 2 hours of tunes from the Epic played with virtuosity, vibe and deep funk. As Kamasi said most of the band had started some time as dummers. It showed. From left to right on the stage - Brandon Coleman played broken D'Angelo reminiscent funk on his Moog synth slung over his shoulder shifting effortlessly to exquisite melodic but rhythmic sweeps across the grand piano. Tony Austin kept a solid efficient beat on his drum kit providing a perfect counterpoint to Ronald Bruner Jr's complex funky bursts. Two drummers, very different in style but adding a rich palette of rhythmic colours to Miles Moseley's Hendrix cross Bootsy Collins bass licks. How does he make the double bass played with a bow and fed through some pedals sound like Hendrix? Midway through Kamasi, a bear of a man in flowing dark red earthy afro robes topped with rasta wooly hat, was joined by his father Ricky on flute. His flights on the whistle took me to Chick Corea territory (Light as a Feather) and Yusef Lateef. Then the man himself side by side with Ryan Porter on Trombone. Sometimes they played almost as one then each going off into magnificent solos. Never about pyrotechnics, always about tone, build up to crescendo that climbed and climbed and climbed. Taking you near to the top and then finding a new route, always complimenting the rest of the band pushing them to the highest of heights. Last but not least the fidgety Patrice Quinn. Tall and thin, continually twitching to notes, chords and inflections in the music. Twiddling her fingers playing some imaginary instrument in her head. When she sang though she started soft and gentle while the band quietly provided some colour in the background. Then as they began their long climb the power of her voice would grow and grow. Every step they took she was there alongside and sometimes soaring above the sound. Yes, I had a fantastic evening. One of the best in while.

My first seated show at the Boulder Theater was nice because we had great seats in the Golden Circle, but it was also a little frustrating to be confined during a performance that had so much energy. It took serious effort to contain myself during the extended version of “Change Of The Guard” that opened the set, especially when Washington stepped aside to let his longtime friend Miles Mosley run free on the upright bass. And I wasn’t alone. Looking around the room at a diverse crowd that included the young, the old, and even families with children in tow, exposed heads bopping, shoulders shaking, and feet tapping, but no one wanted to be the first to stand up. It was only between songs that standing ovations became the norm, but everyone returned to their seats when the band geared up for the next selection. “Change of The Guard” lasted a full twenty minutes before the transition into “The Next Step”. Washington spent most of the night in the center of the stage with his tenor sax, but every member of the Get Down was given multiple opportunities to shine. The spotlight came to Brandon Coleman early, as he worked the keys like a master during the second choice from The Epic. Having recorded the album a few years ago (even though it was just released in May), the songs had evolved quite a bit since the recordings, but the basic structure were unchanged; making them quite recognizable to those who’d spent time with the 3-hour masterpiece. - See more at: http://ilistensoyoudonthaveto.com/2015/09/26/kamasi-washington-boulder-theater-09-24-15/#sthash.1IxzHcFL.dpuf

Really great show last night at the Aretha Amphitheater (formerly Chene Park) in Detroit. Though I have seen Kamasi several times he has a new keyboard player (only 1 have seen him w Cameron Graves on acoustic piano and Brandon Coleman on electric keys). Great set a little short for me however since this tour is with Herbie Hancock Kamasi had Terrence Martin (Alto Sax, Keys, Producer and jack of all trades come out and play the sound of Kasamis' dad Rickie Washington) on Soprano sax, Terrence on Alto and Kamasi on Tenor was amazing! Then added in Ryan Porter on trombone with a rhythm section (2) drummers and Miles Mosely on Bass. With the Detroit River and Canada as a background a wonderful experience.
Such power produced by the band is really remarkable.

The support act, playing music from the Siddi community (originally South-East Africans who emigrated to India) were interesting, and even more interesting when they brought Ricky Washington on as a soloist.
Kamasi Washington's touring band wasn't, understandably, as full as it is on *The Epic*, but it features two drummers, keyboards, two saxes and other brass instruments, plus one female vocalist. They had a lot of energy on almost all the numbers (although I personally am not a fan of drum-solos (either in jazz or in rock)), so didn't really get off on that number. Without trying to reproduce the album sound (with far fewer instrumentalists and vocalists), they did a good job in presenting energised versions of some of the album's best tracks.

New jazz sensation Kamasi Washington brought his band to the Albert Hall for Prom 61. I say new as he'd toured with many great jazz artist before returning to his roots and forming a band from amongst his friends - and father

I'd seen the band before at Love Supreme earlier in the year but was keen to see
them play with strings and choir as heard on his triple album debut - The Epic

The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, along with T.O.P. Gospel Choir conducted by Jules Buckley (who also conducted the recent Quincy Jones prom)provided the same wonderous flavour as the album

The band played tight, very quiet initially before uilding up to a crescendo with some powerful drumming from the two drummers

A memorable (late)night

this was suuch an amazing concert!!!! probably the best concert i have ever seen. it definitely met all my expectations and surpassed them. every single musician on stage was incredibly talented. i was continually blown away every second of the show. there was such an amazing energy, and of course the music was fantastic, so powerful and so moving. i only wished they had played for longer!! if i get another chance to see kamasi washington again i would definitely take it. such an unforgettable, transformative experience. so glad to have had the rare privilege of seeing such an incredible group of artists perform together!!!!

At the Royale in Boston...only negative was the 20+ minute line to get in. Venue dudes...you need t old better. Really. Otherwise...a generous two hours...the primary wordcthet comes to mind is “powerful”. I know...a boring and lazy word to use, and one used far to often...but man, it just was! Great sound, an attentive and attuned audience, subltke herbal vapors wafting in the air...a cleanse from Tuesdst’s elections....it felt like we all needed it.

A truly amazing event. Kamasi's sound ranged from exquisite gentleness to full on explosive force.

The whole band were phenomenal including the two drummers (cue drummer joke 'why did they have two drummers? Because the third one forgot to turn up...).

'Fists of fury' was spectacular and at one point it felt like the roof was going to take off, such was the band's energy and commitment. An unforgettable night.

Incredible live show. Kamasi has an unusual stage setup that features the rhythm section, including two full drum kits and a stand-up bass, on raised platforms behind the rest of the band. This solidifies the driving feel of their style and provides an amazing bedrock for melodies, often atonal, that Kamasi and his company of talented featuring musicians amaze us with.