Kamasi Washington and His Ensemble Fill Music Box San Diego With Jazz
Kamasi Washington brought a packed Music Box to life with an incredibly laid back night of jazz in San Diego on September 11.
The night started with a short opening set from DJ Ratty before Washington took the stage alongside an incredible ensemble featuring Miles Mosley on bass, Tatiana Tate on trumpet, Cameron Graves on keys, Tony Austin on drums, vocalist Patrice Quinn, Rickey Washington on flute and saxophone, and DJ Ratty continuing as part of the full performance.
From the beginning, the night felt less focused on spectacle and more about giving every musician onstage the chance to shine.
The band worked through some of Washington’s most recognizable music while constantly leaving room for solos and extended instrumental sections. Rather than simply recreating the recorded versions of the songs, the group stretched them out, passed the spotlight around, and let each performance take on a life of its own.
Those individual moments were easily some of the best parts of the show.
Mosley commanded attention on bass, Tate brought an entirely different energy with her trumpet, and Graves was incredible behind the keys. Austin held everything together on drums while Quinn’s vocals added another layer to the already massive sound of the ensemble. Rickey Washington also received his own moments to step forward, while DJ Ratty added another texture to the group throughout the night.
Everyone onstage mattered.
At the center of it all, Kamasi Washington seemed perfectly happy sharing that attention. His saxophone still filled the Music Box during some of the biggest moments of the night, but he regularly stepped aside to let the musicians around him take over.
That chemistry made the show feel incredibly natural.
The Music Box was full, but the atmosphere remained relaxed throughout the night. The crowd stayed locked into the performance, erupting after solos and giving the musicians room to explore without the energy ever disappearing.
At the center of it all, Kamasi Washington seemed perfectly happy sharing that attention. His saxophone still filled the Music Box during some of the biggest moments of the night, but he regularly stepped aside to let the musicians around him take over.
That chemistry made the show feel incredibly natural.