Kamasi Washington.

I must admit, I’m a life long lover of jazz. I think that something I have to attribute to my father. His main thing
was always good music of all types. I remember him having a particular affinity towards singers like Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson…the voicing of Phyllis Hyman or being into guys like Lonnie Liston Smith, things like that – while me, myself, I could take it all. From Basie to Blakey. I think for me one of the most prominent interest was that particular mix of spontaneity, coupled with an extreme level of artistry and utter coolness that always really resonated with me. For me the moods of the music are always presented itself in ways that feel so visual and colorful. When I think back, I recognize that some of those initial inspirations that drew me to pick up a camera came via jazz music. Those emotions that came over me the first time I witnessed Bob Thiele’s cover of The “A Love Supreme “ album. Jan Peersons “Sorcerer” cover….or any photos of Miles. With Miles – there’s always such a rich intensity within his expressions. Its as if his face said everything about what It felt like to be black. Good and bad. As well as I was always a huge fan of Reid Miles, both his photography and design for the Blue Note Label.

With all things said you can only imagine that total elation I felt when my friends over @yourstrulycreative
asked me to document a session sometime back in their “Songs From Scratch” series for @adidasoriginals featuring the amazing the @kamasiwashington. To witness upclose his talent towards a genre that I hold so dear, in addition to the level of access and time he was willing to give me towards documenting his process was dream come true. Thank you good sir for being such an enlightened, humble and creative warrior for the culture and for culture.

Bless.