Kamasi Washington, whose name is right now hot on the lips of the jazz world, has announced his very first visit to Finland. The American multi-talent, whose recent album “The Epic” has made it to virtually every “Album of the Year” list, will give a show at Helsinki’s The Circus on Monday 30 November.
Virtuoso tenorist, composer and producer Washington shot to the league of today’s brightest jazz stars in a short time. Hailing from Inglewood, California, Washington has collaborated with the likes of Gerald Wilson, Herbie Hancock, Lauryn Hill, Nas, Snoop Dogg, George Duke, Chaka Khan and Raphael Saadiq, and appeared on numerous big albums, including Flying Lotus’s jazz-influenced disc, You’re Dead!, and hip hop genius Kendrick Lamar’s lauded sophomore, To Pimp A Butterfly.
Washington released his first solo album early this year, named aptly as The Epic. Shortlisted as one of the albums of the year on Rolling Stone and reviewed 10/10 in Spin, it has become one of the most hyped jazz albums of the year in the U.S. – in and outside jazz circles. In addition to a ten-piece band, the nearly three-hour recording features a 32-piece string orchestra and a 20-piece choir.
“The Epic is epic in both the traditional and the colloquial senses of the word. And more. What is also epic, is how utterly unpredictable twists the album takes.” – Helsingin Sanomat, Harri Uusitorppa 5/5
"The most ambitious jazz album to arrive in ages..." – iTunes
"...this saxophonist-composer is unusually well poised to secure the attention of listeners who have previously been uninterested in jazz." – Pitchfork
"...his work as a soloist and arranger helps define the sound of Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly, one of the most important hip hop records of the last several years." – The New York Times
"He plays jazz. But not as you know it." – Nuo Magazine
Kamasi Washington (USA)
Ma 30 Nov 2015 The Circus, Helsinki
Doors at 7:00PM, showtime at 8:30PM
Tickets available at Lippupalvelu ticket shops priced 44,50 eur (including service fees) and online on www.lippupalvelu.fi