The saxophonist and composer Kamasi Washington, 34, has known the members of his band since they were in various Los Angeles high schools — and sometimes well before that. As they grew up, their musical careers took them in all different directions — Washington, for instance, has worked with Snoop Dogg, Chaka Khan and Flying Lotus — but they all remained close enough to form a collective called the West Coast Get Down. They found there was strength in numbers: They've pooled their resources to book club residencies and time in recording studios. And their first release to emerge just may be the grandest: Kamasi Washington's The Epic, a three-disc album featuring a choir, a string section and the West Coast Get Down.
Jazz Night In America visits Kamasi Washington at his house in L.A. on the eve of The Epic's release, and documents the record release concert where he presented the new album complete with band, voices, strings and many special guests. Watch highlights from the concert here.
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