Herbie Hancock & Kamasi Washington – August 14th – Mission Ballroom

Ever since the first time I heard “Fat Albert Rotunda” for the first time in the mid 90’s, Herbie Hancock has had a regular place in my musical diet, so getting the chance to finally photograph him last Wednesday was pretty damn cool.  To compound my excitement, Kamasi Washington was opening, someone I have wanted to see for while now.  I really wanted to know if all the hype around Kamasi was legit – Spoiler Alert: It is! 

Not only was this my first Kamasi experience, it was also my first time at Denver’s newest venue the Mission Ballroom.  This place is next level in design, detail, and seems to be the all round perfect music venue.  Despite the near 4,000 person capacity, I felt like I was as close and intimate as a much smaller venue like The Gothic, but with great sight lines everywhere in the house, ample room to dance everywhere I went, and most important – excellent sound that was even and full in every spot I scoped out as I cased the joint for something to complain about. I am happy as hell to report that I came up empty.  This place sets a new bar for a house of music, well done AEG crew, you hit this one out of the park. 

Opening for Herbie must be daunting, but Kamasi not only filled that tall order, he crushed his set as if he were the main attraction. His high energy set was punctuated perfectly by his song “Fist of Fury,” the perfect ending despite leaving you wanting more. If he were opening for anyone else he might have owned the night….but it wasn’t anyone else, it was Herbie! 

Hancock’s set was more cerebral, and frankly far out!  Using synths, pedals, and effects like a wizard, the set took on a psychedelic vibe that even the aliens might have tripped out to (they are out there!).  His web of soundscape woven with changing time signatures and driving rhythms was both intense and satisfying.  At 79 years old Hancock was as sharp as the first time I saw him years ago, he is truly as timeless as his art.   The encore was perfect for fans of both artists as he invited Kamasi, and the majority of his band, on stage to jam on “Chameleon” with Herbie on Keytar.  It was as if I watched the old guard passing the baton to the new guard, it was surreal and so damn cool to see.