Kamasi Washington w/ Taylor McFerrin at Boulder Theater | Sept. 24

On May 5th, Washington released his groundbreaking solo album “The Epic” on the trend-setting record label Brainfeeder. “The Epic” is a 172-minute, triple-disc masterpiece, featuring Washington’s ten-piece band “The Next Step” along with a full string orchestra and full choir. “The Epic” debuted #1 on several iTunes Jazz charts, including the US, Canada, Australia, Russia and UK.

At the age of 13, Washington picked up his father’s soprano saxophone and – though he had never before touched a sax - played Wayne Shorter’s composition “Sleeping Dancer Sleep On,” his favorite song at the time. Thus began Washington’s lifelong quest in discovering the many wonders of music.

Washington received a full scholarship to study ethnomusicology at UCLA, where he explored many of the non-western musical cultures around the world.

In his second year at UCLA, Washington went on his first national tour with the west coast hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg. Later that year, he joined the orchestra of one of his biggest heroes, Gerald Wilson, and later went on his first international tour with R&B legend Raphael Saadiq.<

Washington has performed and recorded with many of his musical heroes from various genres, including Gerald Wilson, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Burrell, George Duke, Lauryn Hill, Jeffrey Osborne, Mos Def, Quincy Jones, Stanley Clark, Harvey Mason and Chaka Khan

Washington’s band, “The Next Step,” is a modern spin on a big band. Washington is also part of a west coast musical collective “West Coast Get Down.”

Brooklyn-based producer, composer, pianist, DJ, and live musician Taylor McFerrin is equally influenced by the legends of 60s/70s Soul, the kings of the Modern Beat Generation, Golden Era hip hop, free form jazz, and electronic music.

By playing all of the instruments on his productions, while also relying heavily on sampling and chopping up his live takes, McFerrin has found a sound that seamlessly bridges myriad musical worlds and draws the listener into a constantly shifting audio soundscape.

McFerrin’s ability to create and evolve musically by drawing inspiration from all corners of his life translates into music of exceptional honesty and emotional directness, deep sophistication and effortless style.

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