Kamasi Washington chats Heaven and Earth and everything in between

Why the first take is always the best take

Kamasi Washington has had a busy year. Last month, the tenor sax don revealed he scored the Michelle Obama documentary Becoming and earlier this month released an album called Dinner Party with his newly formed supergroup featuring Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper and 9th Wonder.

In light of Kamasi's new music, we take a look back at the saxophonist's chat with Sydney Opera House Music Producer Alister Hill to discuss his 2018 album Heaven and Earth, how a digital age is making us write music faster, and why the first take is always the best.

While jazz has stood the test of time, Kamasi has been able to introduce the genre to new audiences and galvanise fans of hip-hop, R&B, electronic and experimental music.

Vocalist Patrice Quinn, Kamasi Washington's The Next Step. Image: Daniel Boud — Image: Daniel Boud

Keyboardist Brandon Coleman, Kamasi Washington's The Next Step. Image: Daniel Boud — Image: Daniel Boud

Kamasi Washington and The Next Step in the Concert Hall. Image: Daniel Boud

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