Kamasi Washington says Brexit could make UK tours difficult for artists | The music



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The fact that Britain leaves the European Union could make the country less attractive to international artists, said one of the world's greatest jazz musicians.

Kamasi Washington, whose album The Epic and his work with Kendrick Lamar have made him the poster of the jazz revival, said that Brexit was not an attractive idea for musicians and could make more difficult arrival in England for small groups.

"It's not an inviting idea … and then, yes, there will be the notion of coming to Europe and the ease of traveling from one country to another. That's part of what makes touring possible for many artists, "he told The Guardian.

"Once it becomes difficult to enter a country, logistically, it will take much more planning," he said. "It's a bit unknown at the moment. We do not know how difficult it is to get a visa. But if you play in France and want to come to the UK, you do not know how difficult it will be.

"For larger groups, it will not be an obstacle as much as for the little ones for whom it can become a difficult task. It's not just the big actors who run the music scene of a city, [but it’s] also the groups that are discovered. "

Earlier this year, the Womad organizer said the World Music Festival was having trouble hiring artists because of Brexit's uncertainty and its difficulties in entering the country. Chris Smith, director of the festival, said: "It is more difficult to book artists because of Brexit … We are struggling to overcome it and let artists know that they are welcome here and that people always want to do the experience of their great music. "

Washington, an American saxophonist, has also praised the British music scene, claiming it's one of the "leading jazz countries at the hour." current ".

"This is the culmination of the presence of many excellent musicians and all the enthusiasm of the city for these musicians … it is a source of inspiration for the musicians who have a good network between them. They all collaborate with each other, "he said.

Washington said that jazz is undergoing a revival, because people were not happy with what was going on in the world and because they had more access to music than they could possibly have. not be had before.

"He [jazz] did not have the same impetus behind other music. This has always been part of other styles of music but jazz has a sense of freedom and honesty. People are also able to get the music they want now. There is no need to push them. That's a big part of that … and there's a whole new section of growing music that was once a niche, "he said.

Washington, who is recording for Young Turks – the house of the xx – was catapulted from self-released CD's in amateur home kits by The Epic of 2015, a three-hour concept album.

Asked about the pressing problems of our time and how they translate into his music, he said, "It's constantly changing, so for me it's hard to determine exactly what [politics has] in terms of my music. It happens to somehow, to live in life and found in your music, "he said.

"We are currently at a turning point and have encountered difficulties in the United States, especially with Donald Trump. He is such a polarizing character and he has almost put a line in the sand, with people positioned on either side and that has not been good for anyone … I'm trying to "get it right". have to hope for the positive and manage the negatives, "he said.

Kamasi Washington performs at the All Points East Festival in London on May 26th.

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