Kamasi Washington, Leron Thomas and Eska join Gilles Peterson’s super band
- Text by Alex King
- Photography by Dan Medhurst
Gilles Peterson’s annual Worldwide Awards offer a snapshot of the cutting edge of alternative music. This year, alongside a solid lineup of left-field big hitters and emerging stars, Peterson has announced a curated super band.
Progressive jazz’s man of the moment, Kamasi Washington; jazz trumpeter, composer and vocalist, Leron Thomas; and London-born drummer, composer, producer and electronic musician Moses Boyd will come together under the musical direction of Mercury-award nominee and all round musical marvel, Eska.
Eska – photo by Jaroslav Moravec
It’s the first time the super band have performed together on one stage, and while they all have jazz in common, each artist’s diverse musical approaches will push the collaboration in exciting new directions.
The super band joins an impressive line-up that includes North London rapper and winner of “Breakthrough Act of the Year” at last year’s awards, Little Simz; exciting live trio show Henry Wu presents: Yussef Kamaal; Matthew Halsall & The Gondwana Orchestra, Deft and Rinse FM’s Josey Rebelle on DJ duties.
Find out more about Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards, Saturday January 16 at KOKO, London.
You might like
What we’re excited for at SXSW 2026
Austin 40 — For the festival’s 40th anniversary edition, we are heading to Texas to join one of the biggest global meetups of the year. We’ve selected a few things to highlight on your schedules.
Written by: Huck
Wu-Tang Clan forever, and ever
The Final Chamber — RZA, the spiritual leader of one of the most important hip hop groups of all time explains why they won’t rest until their legacy is secured.
Written by: Yoh Phillips
On The Mountain, Jamie Hewlett’s Gorillaz explore life after death
Going East — As everyone’s favourite animated band release their latest album, the visual artist behind it all catches up with Josh Jones to chat about the grief and spirituality underlining the record, as well as his learnings from how other cultures approach death and the afterlife.
Written by: Josh Jones
Lisette Model’s ’50s jazz pictures were nearly lost to McCarthyism
The Jazz Pictures — A landmark new book edited by Audrey Sands uncovers nearly 1,500 photographs from the genre’s golden age previously thought to be lost. Featuring the likes of Billie Holliday, Miles Davis and Louis Armstrong, they tell both a story of music and resistance in the face of oppression.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Analogue Appreciation: Murkage Dave
Brut Thoughts — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, alt-pop chronicler of modern life, Murkage Dave.
Written by: Murkage Dave
Analogue Appreciation: Searows
Death in the Business of Whaling — In an ever more digital, online world, we ask our favourite artists about their most cherished pieces of physical culture. Today, Portland hauntologist Searows.
Written by: Searows
