In partnership with Amazon Music, Kamasi Washington will unveil a new film, Kamasi Washington Live at The Apollo Theater, this Thursday, February 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 Epic, Harmony 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 Times, Rolling 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