Like many other great musicians from the bay area or Los Angeles such as Horace Tapscott did before him, the Californian saxophonist embraces all the Great Black Music in his own universe. That might be the reason why he chose to entitle his new record “Epic” – a deep journey inside many different styles and areas with his band augmented by a large ensemble –, an aesthetic view perfectly on a same vibrations of Brainfeeder Records, the Flying Lotus label. That’s why Kamasi Washington represents the best in today’s jazz, maybe more….

Lee Morgan
The Gigolo

« This is really the song that got me into jazz. Before this I was really only into gangster rap. When i was like 11 or 12 my cousin let me here a tape he had with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers and that sparked an interest, but this record brought me all the way to the other side. »
 

Eric Dolphy
Out to Lunch

« When I told my dad I wanted to play the saxophone he took me to the home of a friend of his who was a great jazz record collector. At the time I was playing alto sax. He knew that I liked Lee Morgan and Art Blakey, I don’t know why but this is the first record he played for me and when they saw how excited I got from hearing it, my dad took me seriously and started me on my journey. »
 

John Coltrane
Transition

« This track is the most influential track for me as a saxophonist. I listen to it everyday for like 3 years when I was around 17 and it’s my favorite! Funny though when I was young my dad tried to show it to me but it was too heavy and I didn’t like it. Then later I got into it and I went to my dad and said “Have you ever heard Transitions!? Trane takes the 2 most amazing solos ever!” He just looked at me and laughed. »
 

Norman Connors
Dark of Light

« The use of voices on this record really inspired me when I was writing music for The Epic. There’s a really dark beautiful texture that I really dig! »
 

Quincy Jones
Cast Your Fate To The Wind

« Just my favorite track from one of my all time favorite records! »