A Family Affair

Kamasi Washington closes out a three-day stand at City Winery on Thursday, 11 May 2023.

Pops Rickey Washington smokes the soprano sax.

Brandon Coleman shines on keys.

If you’re used to seeing music shows in more rough n tumble dive interiors, a swank chain like City Winery might throw you for a loop.

Wine on tap? Sitdown dining during the show? No Already Dead sticker posted on the urinal in the men’s room? What is going on here…?

It’s a different experience, for sure. But jazz lends itself to all types of environs, from downscale dives to upscale lounges. Kamasi Washington made himself quite at home in the intimate setting of the City Winery stage.

An ‘Epic’ Night

And Kamasi Washington didn’t come alone. He brought a band that included his dad Rickey Washington on soprano saxophone and flute, his life partner Ami Tif Ra on vocals, along with a host of fellow bandmates that shined in their respective roles like stars of a celestial constellation.

The Kamasi Washington group goes deep on talent. It’s the kind of roster that could seed a thousand other top notch bands, and probably does. It’s the kind of band where any member on any given night could take the reins, steer the ship, and make their sound the central thematic feature of the set.

But there was no mistaking who was steering the ship on Thursday night. Kamasi Washington’s saxophone was the baton leading the band on march. Fans of his 3xLP The Epic heard a few songs from the epic album. A strong horn section consisting of Kamasi’s saxophone, Rickey’s saxophone, and a righteous trombone, formed the main backbone of their 21st century jazz explorations.

Ami Tif Ra added a layer of mysticism and magic to the proceedings, like we were falling down an elevator shaft to subterranean spiritual layers of Alice Coltrane-depths every time she sang.

Brandon Coleman and Patrice Quinn

Two shout outs are in order, at the very least.

Brandon Colemen is a star on the keyboards. His jazz/funk key handling can lay it on thick or make the most delicate contributions. Add in charisma for miles, and he nearly stole the show.

Another shout out to Patrice Quinn, who delivered a show stopping version of “Song For Fraser.”

The song was a piece penned in honor of Michelle Obama’s father, Fraser, and brought the night back to where it started: family. Thursday night at City Winery was a celebration of the musical ties that bind.

And a celebration of wine. So, so much wine!