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

You may also like...

Watch: Nick Cave and Warren Ellis perform 'Push the Sky Away'

The Bad Seeds bandmates perform their classic song 'Push The Sky Away' with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, recorded at their sold out Concert Hall show in December 2019.

Watch: H.E.R. perform 'Focus'

Trap soul heartbreaker H.E.R. performs her smooth hit 'Focus' from her Australian debut at Vivid LIVE 2018 in a masterclass of steamy modern soul.

WATCH: Jon Hopkins performs 'Scene Suspended'

Grammy-nominated electronic musician Jon Hopkins performs the uncharacteristically quiet 'Scene Suspended' in the Opera House foyers, recorded exclusively for Piano Day 2020.

Skip Links

Kamasi Washington Interview