Kamasi Washington’s tenor sax is all over music right now. The LA musician has spent a good part of his career collaborating with artists like Lauryn Hill, Chaka Kahn, Flying Lotus and Wayne Shorter, but it was his 2015 three hour long album “The Epic” that made the world stand up and take notice. In the same year, he worked closely with his friend Kendrick Lamar on “To Pimp a Butterfly”, as arranger and tenor sax player; a sound that defined this ground-breaking album.

 

Kamasi Washington may perform jazz, but his background as a hip-hop head and his penchant for working with people outside of jazz circles mean that he has fans both inside the scene, and people who have never before witnessed an improvised jam. Kamasi’s experience base is broad; the lessons he has learned along the way, are legendary. Across five songs this beautiful spirit sat with Zan and opened up about the incredible moments that made him the musician he is today.

McCoy Tyner - 'Fly With The Wind'

Rick James - 'Bustin' Out (The Funk)'

Flying Lotus - 'Cold Dead'

Gerald Wilson - 'Detroit'

Kendrick Lamar - 'Mortal Man'