Much has been written about the West Coast Get Down, a collective of musicians/friends from Los Angeles that are making a big noise in the music industry.  The band is composed of some of the best players on the planet, including bassist Stephen Bruner (better known by his stage name Thundercat) and his brother, drummer Ronald Bruner Jr., as well as bassist Miles Mosley, drummer Tony Austin, keyboard player Brandon Coleman, pianist Cameron Graves, trombonist Ryan Porter and saxophonist Kamasi Washington.
Over the last seven years, the group has honed its craft at a little bar in Hollywood called “The Piano Bar.”  The little dive on Selma provided the musicians a home and a relaxed vibe that allowed them to practice their chops while writing a lot of music. In my opinion, it also made them one of the best live bands in the world!  Last week, the Piano Bar closed and the band came together to say goodbye to an old friend. 

They played two sets to a packed house mixing up originals and covers with their unique blend of jazz/funk that recalls Miles Davis, James Brown, Prince, and the Crusaders. 

Last year, after 5 years of dedicated work, saxophonist, Kamasi Washington released “The Epic” – a three-disc, 175-minute musical masterpiece recorded with a ten-piece band, choir and string section.  Upon its release, the band played a sold-out show at the Regent in downtown LA that was recorded by NPR.  Listen to it – CLICK HERE!

The sessions from “The Epic” resulted in numerous albums from other members of the group and the next one up is best player Miles Mosley who will release his album UPRISING in January 2017 on Alpha Pup / World Galaxy. Co-produced by Tony Austin and Barbara Sealy, the record features Washington, Austin, and fellow West Coast Get Down members Ryan Porter, Brandon Coleman, and Cameron Graves, as well as Dontae Winslow and the late saxophonist Zane Musa. Its lead single, “Young Lion” premiered last week – CLICK HERE!
The sessions from “The Epic” resulted in numerous albums from other members of the group and the next one up is best player Miles Mosley who will release his album UPRISING in January 2017 on Alpha Pup / World Galaxy. Co-produced by Tony Austin and Barbara Sealy, the record features Washington, Austin, and fellow West Coast Get Down members Ryan Porter, Brandon Coleman, and Cameron Graves, as well as Dontae Winslow and the late saxophonist Zane Musa. Its lead single, “Young Lion” premiered last week – CLICK HERE!

It may have been the last time to see the band at the Piano Bar – but, you can still see them play live.  In fact, Miles Mosley will be playing with Tony Austin on drums as part of the Angel City Jazz Festival’s Extreme Bass Night on Friday October 14th at 8pm at the Edye @the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.  While Kamasi Washington will be at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa on Saturday, October 8th and the Walt Disney Hall on Sunday, November 6th.

The West Coast Get Down is writing the future of jazz and you would be wise to catch these masters live in town before they take off again for another world tour!  Or, maybe you want to wait until they reopen the Piano Bar.