In partnership with Amazon MusicKamasi Washington will unveil a new film, Kamasi Washington Live at The Apollo Theater, this ThursdayFebruary 6 via Amazon Prime Video. The film, directed by Michael Garber and recorded at Washington’s February 2019 headline show at the iconic theater, features Washington performing songs from his critically acclaimed releases The EpicHarmony of Difference and Heaven and Earth alongside his much lauded band The Next Step and guests including DJ Battlecat and vocalist Dwight Trible. Intimate shots of Washington preparing for the show and visiting Harlem landmarks are throughout, offering insight into the tremendous artist’s process. Watch the trailer here, and watch the film at the same link on Thursday. 

The Bombshell’s Waltz,” a previously unheard work, also debuts today only on Amazon Music. Originally recorded for Washington’s early, self-released album The Proclamation in 2007 but never widely distributed or streamed, the composition is now available on Amazon Music and newly mastered for Ultra HD on Amazon Music HD. Listen here

“Playing at the Apollo Theater is one of the greatest honors that a musician can have,” says Washington. “When I walked down 125th Street from my hotel in Harlem and saw my name on the marquee I almost couldn’t believe it. To be a part of that prestigious group of brilliant musical minds was truly humbling for me. To say that night was one of the most amazingly special nights of my life is a grave understatement. I’m so happy and thankful to be able to share this moment with people all over the world. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!” 

“It’s an immense honor for us to share Kamasi Washington’s momentous concert at the Apollo Theater with the world, and also give our customers the opportunity to hear an early gem like ‘The Bombshell’s Waltz,’” said Stephen Brower with Artist Relations at Amazon Music. “We started Amazon Originals with the goal of bringing artists’ creative visions to life while providing our customers with new, unique musical experiences. To be able to work with an artist like Kamasi, who truly represents the vanguard of music today, and document an historic performance in an historic venue is a prime example of what makes this program so special.” 

The release caps off a triumphant run for Washington, whose albums The Epic and Heaven and Earth were heralded as two of the best of the last decade by The New York TimesRolling Stone, Pitchfork, Vice, Stereogum and many more. In recent years As Told To G/D Thyself—a short film companion to Heaven and Earth—debuted at Sundance to critical praise, Washington’s EP Harmony of Difference—an EP inspired by the musical concept of counterpoint—debuted as an original work for the 2017 Whitney Biennial, The Epic garnered the inaugural American Music Prize, and he has toured the world over, playing to sold out crowds across the globe. Washington has collaborated and shared stages with Kendrick Lamar, Florence + the Machine, Herbie Hancock and many more. 

Amazon Music listeners can find “The Bombshell’s Waltz” on The Pocket, Amazon Music’s playlist featuring today’s jazz heroes and trailblazers. Customers can also simply ask, “Alexa, play the Amazon Original from Kamasi Washington” in the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android and on Alexa-enabled devices. 

Kamasi Washington is a multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer born and raised in Los Angeles. 

KAMASI WASHINGTON LIVE AT THE APOLLO THEATER 

MUSICIANS 

Kamasi Washington: Tenor Saxophone 

Rickey Washington: Flute and Soprano Saxophone 

Ryan Porter: Trombone 

Brandon Coleman: Keyboards 

Ronald Bruner Jr: Drums 

Tony Austin: Drums 

Miles Mosley: Bass 

Patrice Quinn: Vocals 

Kahlil Cummings: Percussion 

Allakoi Peete: Percussion 

Cameron Graves: Keyboard 

Igmar Thomas: Trumpet 

Dwight Trible: Vocals 

DJ Battlecat: Turntables  

DIRECTED BY 

Michael Garber 

PRODUCED BY 

Banch Abegaze 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER 

Kamasi Washington  

Banch Abegaze 

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER AND INTERVIEWER 

Timmhotep Aku 

EDITED BY 

Jon Leone 

Michael Garber 

COLORIST 

Na Thirakomen 

CONCERT SHOT BY 

Winston Case 

Will Colby 

Jake Denicola  

Jim Larson 

Jon Leone 

Drew Levine 

JIB SHOT BY 

Black Dog Jibs 

SUPER 8MM FOOTAGE BY 

Nesanet Abegaze 

16MM PHOTOGRAPHY BY 

Yoonha Park 

INTERVIEWS SHOT BY 

Jon Leone 

Yoonha Park 

FIELD RECORDING AND MIX BY 

Jeff Curtin 

TECHNICAL CREW FOR KAMASI WASHINGTON 

Russell Elevado: Recording and Mixing Engineer 

Alex Proctor: Recording Engineer 

Raymond McKinley: Front of House Audio Engineer 

Keiko Takeda: Monitor Audio Engineer 

WARDROBE AND STYLING FOR KAMASI WASHINGTON 

Tiffany Wright 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS FOR AMAZON MUSIC 

Stephen Brower and Sean Hallarman  

AMAZON MUSIC 

Steve Boom 

Nathan Brackett 

Jessica Charlton 

Craig Chosiad 

Chris Graham  

Alex Luke 

Dan McCarroll 

Ryan Redington 

David Stuart 

KAMASI WASHINGTON TEAM 

Manager: Banch Abegaze 

Day-to-Day Manager: Adam Blain 

ICM Agents: Mitch Blackman and Kevin Jergenson 

Business Manager: Sumby Kuti 

PR: Carla Sacks and Reid Kutrow / Sacks & Co. 

Attorney: Renee Karalian, Esq. 

Music Publisher: Dave Ayers / Big Deal Music LLC 

Creative Director: Nesanet Abegaze 

Designer: Sandy Yang 

Tour Managers: Adam Blain and Nigel Glasgow 

LABEL FOR KAMASI WASHINGTON 

Young Turks / Beggars Group 

Caius Pawson 

Stephen Campbell 

Gabe Spierer 

Claire Taylor 

Mattis With 

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW LOCATIONS FOR THEIR GENEROSITY 

The Harlem Flophouse  

Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market 

Minton’s Playhouse 

The National Jazz Museum in Harlem 

Revolution Books 

Ruby’s Vintage Harlem 

Music