Acclaimed keyboards and piano player, composer, and bandleader Leo Washington proudly presents his newest studio album, Tribute — a sweeping musical journey that fuses jazz, soul, and global influences. Now officially under consideration for the 68th GRAMMY® Awards, this project unites a stellar cast of collaborators and reimagines the spirit of 1970s jazz through a contemporary lens.
Recorded across New York, and Rome, Tribute is released via Hit Songs Group with worldwide distribution by The Orchard. Washington draws together extraordinary voices from multiple generations.
Across its dozen tracks, Tribute enlists a rich roster of featured artists, each contributing nuance, character, and sonic depth:
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“Prelude” opens the album with Washington’s textured introduction as a doorway to what follows. YouTube
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On “You’re Not Alone (feat. Joanna, Steve Gadd & Marco Tamburini)”, vocalist Joanna, legendary drummer Steve Gadd, and trumpeter/arranger Marco Tamburini join Washington in an intimate, rhythm-forward dialogue. Apple Music – Web Player+1
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“Eleanor Rigby (feat. Nicole Zuraitis, Michael Brecker, Gato Barbieri & Steve Gadd)” stands out as a bold reinterpretation of a classic, featuring the soulful voice of Nicole Zuraitis, sax luminaries Michael Brecker and Gato Barbieri, and rhythmic support by Steve Gadd. Apple Music – Web Player+1
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“I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction) (feat. Eva Campbell, Paolo Fresu & Furio Di Castri)” transforms a rock anthem into jazz-infused terrain. Eva Campbell offers vocal interpretation, while master trumpeter Paolo Fresu and bassist Furio Di Castri lend their distinctive voices. Apple Music – Web Player+1
- “Beat It (feat. featuring Daniela Pedali, Marco Tamburini)” is a jazz funky reinterpretation of the classic by Michael Jackson.
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“Mas Que Nada (feat. Danila Satragno, Michael Brecker & Billy Cobham)” channels vibrant Latin-jazz energy. Vocalist Danila Satragno, saxophonist Michael Brecker, and the ever-powerful drummer Billy Cobham propel the track forward. Apple Music – Web Player+1
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The album also includes “Your Song (feat. Joanna)”, spotlighting Joanna in a heartfelt, minimalist arrangement that highlights Washington’s sensitivity as accompanist. Apple Music – Web Player
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Additional compositions such as “Illusion”, “Closing Suite”, and “Il Guardiano Infelice” round out the narrative arc, weaving original themes and orchestrations into Tribute’s continuous flow. Apple Music – Web Player+1
Throughout Tribute, Washington masterfully balances ensemble interplay with moments of crisp solo space. He brings both reverence and invention: drawing from the canon of jazz tradition while shaping new pathways. “This album is about honouring the masters while pushing the language of jazz forward,” he reflects. “Every track is a conversation between generations — a blend of tradition and innovation.”
Though the album features many voices, Washington’s rhythmic concept and compositional vision remain the unifying anchor. From the warm introspection of “Eleanor Rigby” to the driving momentum of “Mas Que Nada”, each collaboration feels intentional and vital.
Producer Julyo describes Tribute as “a living bridge between eras — made with soul, intellect, and the courage to experiment. It’s both a love letter to the roots of jazz and a statement about where the genre can go next.”
As an independent release with global reach and ambitious scope, Tribute marks one of 2025’s most distinctive jazz statements — one that unites legendary artists and emerging voices under a single creative vision. In an age of fleeting trends, Leo Washington’s Tribute stands as a bold testament to artistry, collaboration, and the enduring power of musical conversation.
Tribute by Leo Washington is now streaming worldwide on all major platforms via Hit Songs Group, distributed by The Orchard.
