Download REGGIE WASHINGTON PressKit

REGGIE WASHINGTON

"My music represents the cutting edge of jazz today. It's a healthy musical mix paying homage to our forefathers and exploring our craft by journeying down new roads to help pave the way for the future. For me, our music must evolve and I feel I'm among the select group of musicians / artists / stylists capable and dedicated to keeping jazz and all music alive and strong" - REGGIE WASHINGTON

Born into a musical family in 1962 on Staten Island, New York, Reggie Washington’s first musical experiences were with his older brother, the renowned drummer, jazz historian and noted radio personality Kenny “The Jazz Maniac” Washington. Initially drawn to congas and bongos, Reggie performed with his brother Kenny in talent competitions and clubs around New York, billed as “The Washington Brothers.” Reggie later studied cello before switching to acoustic bass in the school orchestra and eventually coming in contact with the electric bass guitar through his brother’s friend, Marcus Miller (who would later gain fame playing, producing and recording with the likes of Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn and Wayne Shorter). As Reggie recalls : “Marcus and Kenny would sit up and listen to records and eat food all night long, then get up in the morning and go to school. Being four years younger, I just sat in the corner and watched them the whole time. Marcus had his electric bass there and would let me fool around on it. He would also show me a few things, and I just took to it really quickly.”

Washington played his very first session on electric bass in 1982 (a John Purcell session with pianist Kenny Kirkland, saxophonist Joe Ford, guitarist Marvin Horn and drummer Buddy Williams). He continued to focus exclusively on the electric bass through the ‘80s, getting some pointers along the way from other noted electric bassists at the time such as Kim Clarke, Melvin Gibbs and Rev. Bruce Johnson. At the urging of his brother Kenny, Reggie began re-investigating the upright bass in the late ‘80s while continuing to play electric bass on sessions and gigs. In 1989, he joined Steve Coleman’s Five Elements and subsequently recorded more than a dozen sessions with the alto saxophonist and M-Base co-founder over the next 15 years.

Aside from holding down the groove for Steve Coleman’s Five Elements, Reggie has also played for such notable groups as Roy Hargrove’s RH Factor, Branford Marsalis’s Buckshot LeFonque and Oliver Lake Steel Quartet. His extensive list of credits includes work with African drum master Babatunde Olatunje, jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, R&B singer D’Angelo, the legendary Chico Hamilton, guitarist Jean-Paul Bourelly, pianist Uri Caine, bassist-vocalist Meshell Ndegeocello, trumpeter Lester Bowie, clarinetist Don Byron, alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe, the World Saxophone Quartet, Gospel diva Liz Mc Comb, Mike Mainieri’s Steps Ahead, saxophonist Jacques Schwarz-Bart, vocalist Robin McKelle and cabaret diva Ute Lemper. 

In 2006, Reggie stepped out as a leader himself for the first time in his career with "A LOT OF LOVE, LIVE!", on the Jammin’colorS label. The CD has received stellar reviews internationally & accolades from journalists & colleagues worldwide in the music business. It is being played on U.S.A. & European radio. Reggie has toured with his bands through Europe, the U.K. in the USA to very receptive and appreciative audiences. 

Bass Player magazine presented Reggie in its August 2007 issue entitled “The Eternal Internal” by journalist Bill Milkowski. In 2008, Reggie was among the winners of the Rising Stars electric bassist category in DownBeat magazine’s International Critics Poll. He was also featured in the April 2008 issue of Jazz Times magazine in an article entitled “Overdue Ovation, Groove Instincts".

Since 2009, Reggie has created and toured with his new projects :

- MUSIC OF THE PHRASE

- FREEDOM

- IN THE SPIRIT OF MILES feat. Ronald Baker

Next artist