ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: MESONJIXX

Interview by Luis Jimenez | North Omaha

Mary Lawson hosted a book club focused on studying cultural theories as a community. Lawson has co-organized this book club with Bemis Artist in Residence, Glyneisha Johnson. If you are interested in reading and learning together please join them for a: Seat at the Table: A Cultural Studies Book Club.

The curiously warm weather of the evening, brought folks out this day in early March. I saw some pedestrians navigating the city roads and sidewalks. This meeting is the first of three book club sessions—and was held on North 24th Street. At 5:00 pm eleven participants gathered to discuss “Art on My Mind: Visual Politics” by bell hooks.

What can your fans and audiences expect for your show “Kamasi Washington w/ Mesonjixx” on March 6 at the Slowdown?

Mesonjixx: Balls to the wall and complete submission to divine energy.

Explain why it was attractive for you to participate on stage at the Slowdown this time around?

Mesonjixx: We are direct support for Kamasi Washington (!) I could not say no to this. And am grateful that John and Nate were able to confirm the date as well. Kamasi is one of a handful of musicians that are leading the contemporary jazz world right now/is a major influence for musicians I admire! He played on Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’...Kendrick is one of my favorite writers of all time! Having the opportunity to support him is such a HUGE honor.

What advice can you give community leaders concerning this experience?

Mesonjixx: Advice? Prepare your spirit, come with an open heart, and expect to transcend.

What do you hope to accomplish with the book club sessions?

Mesonjixx: As with music, I hope to grow and learn. I think everything I have my hands in right now here in Omaha -- is helping this butterfly spread her wings BIG.

Kamasi Washington w/ Mesonjixx

Doors at 7:00 pm
Main Room at the Slowdown
$30 Advance/$35 Day of Show
$40 Balcony
$45 Reserved Pitside East/Reserved Pitside West

All ages show

Check entry requirements at: theslowdown.com/All-Ages
729 N 14th Street, Omaha, NE 68102
—at the Slowdown, North Downtown Omaha

Kamasi Washington

When Kamasi Washington released his tour de force LP, The Epic, in 2015, it set him on a path as a torchbearer for progressive, improvisational music. This opened the door for young audiences to experience music “unlike anything they had heard before.” The 172-minute odyssey featuring his 10-piece band, The Next Step, put elements of hip-hop, classical and R&B music, all major influences on this young saxophonist and bandleader, who exceeds any notions of jazz music.

Released to critical acclaim, The Epic won numerous awards and led to the creation of “Harmony of Difference,” a standalone multimedia installation during the prestigious 2017 Biennial at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.

In June 2018, Washington released Heaven and Earth to wide praise. The album garnered “best of” awards from Pitchfork, NPR, Variety, GQ, MOJO, and Complex among others. Collaborating with cutting edge filmmakers Bradford Young, Jenn Nkiru, Terence Nance, and Marc Thomas, Washington helped direct a film inspired by Heaven and Earth which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2019, titled As Told To G/D Thyself.

Thanks, Mesonjixx!

Music and info at theslowdown.com.

Back on Stage | Conversation with Mary Lawson

ARTIST HIGHLIGHT: MESONJIXX

Kamasi Washington w/ Mesonjixx

All ages show

Kamasi Washington