Watch Kamasi Washington Jam w/ Terrace Martin, Discuss 'To Pimp A Butterfly'

Kamasi Washington had a massive year, any way you stack it. The cinematic jazz specialist came out on top of countless year-end superlative lists (including our own) with his sprawling and brilliant The Epic LP, and also made his creative kinship with the west coast's finest madcap music men known on the conquer-all album of 2015, none other than Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly. 

And while we've long known that it took a village To Pimp A Butterfly, Kamasi's contribution cannot and will not be overlooked. Recently he sat with GQ, delving into the album's recording process and how his longtime friend and fellow jazz man, Terrace Martin, brought him into the fold to fill-in on the album's copious interludes, but by doing so, unveiling unto him just how much of each musician involved (Thundercat, Terrace, Robert Glasper and the like) lived and breathed in the dense, rich and seething notes of the album. All of this is done so while Washington and Martin perform the original composition "Final Thought" with Ronald Bruner Jr. (brother to Cat.)

Watch as Kamasi Washington dishes out the goods on his work with the all-star To Pimp A Butterfly roster below and catch him on the road throughout the new year. Grab a copy of his The Epic LP on iTunes today or cop the vinyl via Amazon to hear it from between the dust and grooves.

Tour Dates:

Jan 14, 2016 @ Webster Hall – New York, NY

Feb 25, 2016 @ Noise Pop Music Festival – San Francisco, CA

Mar 04, 2016 @ Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival – Okeechobee, FL

Mar 24, 2016 @ Byron Bay Bluesfest – Byron Bay, Australia

Mar 26, 2016 @ Byron Bay Bluesfest – Byron Bay, Australia

Apr 02, 2016 @ Big Ears Festival – Knoxville, TN

Apr 29, 2016 @ One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA

Apr 30, 2016 @ One Eyed Jacks – New Orleans, LA