104. Kamasi Washington: From The Epic to Kendrick Lamar, Jazz Saxophone Icon, Composer, Interview

104. Kamasi Washington: From The Epic to Kendrick Lamar, Jazz Saxophone Icon, Composer, Interview

May 2, 2026 · 1h 60m

About this episode

Kamasi Washington discusses his journey in modern jazz and collaborations with notable artists.

Episode 104: Kamasi Washington Kamasi Washington is one of the most important voices in modern jazz. A saxophonist, composer, and bandleader from Los Angeles, he has helped shape the sound of contemporary music through his solo work and collaborations with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat, Dinner Party, Flying Lotus, Andre 3000, Terrace Martin, and Robert Glasper. In this episode of Go With Elmo, Kamasi sits down for a deep conversation about his journey, from growing up in Los Angeles with the greatest young talents all around him to becoming a central figure in a global movement of jazz, hip-hop, and beyond. The LA music scene, the importance of community, and the foundation of the West Coast Get Down collective all come into focus. Kamasi breaks down the West Coast Get Down and the musicians involved, including Thundercat, Ronald Bruner Jr., Cameron Graves, Brandon Coleman, Ryan Porter, Patrice Quinn, Miles Mosley, and Tony Austin, and how that group helped define a new sound coming out of Los Angeles. Kamasi explains why he often performs with multiple drummers and multiple bassists, how he builds such powerful live ensembles, and what it takes to lead large groups of…

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