Show Review & Photos: Herbie Hancock & Kamasi Washington @ Marymoor Park

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Herbie Hancock & Kamasi Washington @ Marymoor Park – 8/16/19
~ Show Review & Photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Herbie Hancock & Kamasi Washington perform “Chameleon” – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Marymoor Concerts hosted an epic jazz double-feature on August 16, 2019, with co-headliners Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington.

Critically acclaimed saxophonist and bandleader Kamasi Washington was accompanied by a talented lineup of Miles Mosley (bass), Ryan Porter (trombone), Patrice Quinn (vocals & dance), Cameron Graves (keys), BIGYUKI (keys & synthesizers), both Tony Austin and Ronald Bruner Jr. (drums) simultaneously, and Kamasi’s father Rickey Washington (soprano saxophone & flute), AKA “the man who taught me everything I know.” This band also knows how to accessorize an outfit.

They played an impassioned set of synergistic grooves and impressive solo sections that included both originals and covers: “Abraham,” “Truth,” “Fists of Fury,” and “Show Us the Way.” Taking its title and theme from the 1971 Bruce Lee movie, Fists of Fury featured Quinn’s memorable spoken words, “Our time as victims is over/We will no longer ask for justice/Instead we will take our retribution.” Washington shared a message of appreciation and universal love, which was reciprocated by the crowd. Amidst standing ovations, he asked, “Are y’all ready for Herbie Hancock? Me, too.”

Kamasi Washington – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Jazz-fusion legend Herbie Hancock strutted across the stage in red running shoes, blew appreciative kisses to the cheering crowd, and announced that things were about to get a little strange. They did, with Hancock rotating through Korg Kronos, grand piano, vocal-effects headset, and (of course) white keytar. Decades after his heyday, the 79-year-old keyboardist and composer remains agile and vibrant, and continues to innovate through new electronics and collaborations. He still brings to the stage an irreplicable cool.

Hancock was joined by a powerhouse of Lionel Loueke (guitar), Terrace Martin (saxophone & synths), James Genus (bass), and Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), and paused mid-set to provide an extended biography of each musician. The set was mostly classics, but with one preview of his upcoming album: “Overture (Fascinating Rhythm),” “Butterfly,” “Actual Proof,” “Come Running to Me,” “Secret Sauce,” and “Cantaloupe Island.” They returned for a funky encore of “Chameleon” with Hancock on keytar—plus several members of Kamasi Washington’s band—which brought all generations to their feet for overhead clapping and dancing.

Herbie Hancock – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Kamasi Washington – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Herbie Hancock – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Video: Husky Loops’ Everyone Is Having Fun Fun Fun But Me

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Artist: Husky Loops
Video: “Everyone Is Having Fun Fun Fun But Me”
Why You Want to Watch: Husky Loops pays homage to the Verve’s video of “Bitter Sweet Symphony.” Another one-shot, this one features Peckham’s Rye Lane in London. It’s cool to be able to stroll down the street with Italians Husky Loops, who now base themselves in London.

Photos: Watershed 2019 @ The Gorge Amphitheatre – Day 3

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The Watershed Country Music Festival drew to a close on Sunday.  The “Shedders” enjoyed three full days packed with music, alcohol and cowboy boots. The photos are shown in reverse chronological order – from the headliners in the evening on each stage, to the openers in the early afternoon.

KANE BROWN
BRANDON LAY
MAREN MORRIS
ROSS ELLIS
CAM
CAYLEE HAMMACK
RANDY ROGERS
LAUREN JENKINS
CORT CARPENTER

Show Review & Photos: Khruangbin w/ Will Van Horn @ the Moore

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Khruangbin (w/ Will Van Horn @ the Moore, 11/16/2018
~ Show Review & Photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Khruangbin‘s Mark Speer & Laura Lee – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn

Khruangbin landed at the Moore on November 16, 2018 for a nearly sold-out show. The psychedelic Thai-funk trio is predominantly instrumental and integrates diverse world influences. Based in Houston, Khruangbin (“airplane” in Thai) includes bassist Laura Lee, guitarist Mark Speer, and drummer Donald “DJ” Johnson. Their tour supported their 2018 release, Con Todo El Mundo.

They played tunes from across their discography, accented by kitschy touches like playing wine bottles with drumsticks, pausing to toast the audience, and dialing a prop telephone on “Evan Finds the Third Room.” Khruangbin was fashion-forward: Lee swayed and dipped in a slinky gold lamé gown right out of a Bond movie, Speer wore a pinstripe western suit and cowboy boots, and Johnson rocked a silver paisley poncho.

Laura Lee of Khruangbin – photo by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Mark Speer of Khruangbin

The set began as a seated concert, but a few tunes in Speer asked, “Seattle, you with us tonight?” Fans cheered and then poured down from the two balconies to dance in the main-level aisles. For the encore, Johnson reappeared (surprisingly) on solo piano. Speer and Lee followed, and Lee had changed into a sequined catsuit. Pedal-steel guitarist Will Van Horn joined the group for a diverse medley that included several rap tunes and a cover of “Wicked Game.” Khruangbin closed with their upbeat “Maria También.”

Will Van Horn, also a Khruangbin contributor, opened with his Houston-based band. Their style was difficult to predict from the eclectic influences cited on their Facebook page—“instrumental, exotica, country, rap, surf, pop”—but the combination worked well, and the pedal-steel guitar created melodic glissandos on covers by Dick Dale, Aphex Twin, and Britney Spears. Also stylish, Van Horn wore a grey fitted suit and cowboy hat, drummer Tank Lisenbe a “TANK” cap, and fretless-bassist Geoffrey Muller a white suit with crayfish hat and bull necklace.

***Editor’s note: Khruangbin returns to the Northwest with an appearance at THING on Sunday, August 25, 2019. Tickets are available for the 2-day Port Townsend, WA event here.***

Will Van Horn – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn
Khruangbin – photos by Lisa Hagen Glynn