Jazz as Conversation
Jazz is not technique, it's conversation. Each musician says something of their own, and together they create a story.
Kamasi Washington
Contemporary jazz saxophonist pioneering neo-jazz and the sound of modern classical jazz revival.
All moments: Kamasi Washington
- Truth of Creation — Kamasi Washington
When I create, I don't think. I listen and allow music to flow through me. My mind must be silent.
- Unity Through Art — Kamasi Washington
True art is born from true connection. Without love and understanding, music is just sound.
- Collaboration Across Boundaries — Kamasi Washington
When you work with artists from other genres, you learn. The boundary between jazz, rap, and classical is an illusion.
- Spiritual Path of Saxophone — Kamasi Washington
The saxophone is my prayer book. When I play, I'm speaking to God and to my soul.
- Cultural Bridge — Kamasi Washington
Music unites people whom everything else divides. It's the universal language of humanity.
- Roots in the Present — Kamasi Washington
I respect the jazz past, but I don't live there. I'm looking for how jazz can speak to our lives today.
Related moments
- Documenting History — Questlove
As a documentarian, I feel a responsibility to preserve the history of Black music and culture
- Birth of a Legend — Paul McCartney
The Beatles were about growth. We changed every single day.
- All Music Is Folk Music — Louis Armstrong
All music is folk music. I ain't never heard a horse sing a song.
- Alien Artist — David Bowie
I never tried to fit in. I prefer to be myself, even if it's alien.
- The Soul of Music — Questlove
Soul is what makes music real. It's what people feel
- Always Be a Good Human — Louis Armstrong
I've always tried to be a good human being. That's what matters.