Kamasi Washington has released his first short film, As Told To G/D Thyself, exclusively available now via Apple Music. 

The 22-minute production features music from Washington’s Young Turks album, Heaven and Earth, and was created by newly formed film collective The Umma Chroma comprising Bradford Young, Terence Nance, Jenn Nkiru, Marc Thomas, and Kamasi Washington. It’s described as “a cosmic journey of sacred youth, during which pain, pleasure, and sublimation are non-negotiable.” 

The Los Angeles saxophonist views the album as the fourth part of the Heaven and Earth release, referring to both sides of the conceptual LP and its bonus EP, The Choice. 

Washington adds: “I wanted it to feel loose enough that people could create their own story within the story. It’s kind of like pieces of a puzzle that you can rearrange in different ways.” 

Washington also announced a North America joint tour with Herbie Hancock that will run through the summer, with the initial round of dates listed below:

07/30 Vienna, VA—Wolf Trap

08/04 Philadelphia, PA—The Met

08/06 Toronto, Ontario—Roy Thomson Hall

08/07 Huber Heights, OH—Rose Music Center at The Heights

08/08 Detroit, MI—Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre

08/09 or 08/10 (TBC) Chicago, IL—Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

08/14 Denver, CO—The Mission Ballroom

08/16 Seattle, WA—Marymoor

08/17 Portland, OR—Oregon Zoo

08/23 Berkeley, CA—The Greek Theatre