Cameron Washington's Lazy Californians Blend New Orleans Jazz and Afrobeat on Debut Album

The San Francisco-based nine-piece band's new record "Back to San Francisco" blends jazz, funk, and global influences.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Cameron Washington and his nine-piece band Lazy Californians are bringing a unique sound that blends New Orleans jazz and brass with elements of funk, hip-hop, blues, and Afrobeat on their debut album "Back to San Francisco." The album, released on Angel Island Records, features guest appearances from musicians like trumpeter Leroy Jones and rapper Todd "Woodz" Woodward. Despite the band's name and album title, their sound draws heavily from the musical traditions of New Orleans while also incorporating diverse global influences.

Why it matters

Lazy Californians' ability to fuse New Orleans jazz with contemporary genres and global rhythms represents an innovative approach to preserving and evolving the legacy of jazz and brass band music. Their unique sound has generated significant buzz in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene and could help introduce New Orleans-inspired music to new audiences around the world.

The details

Lazy Californians is led by San Francisco native Cameron Washington, who has deep roots in the musical traditions of New Orleans. The nine-piece band includes an upright bassist, Hammond B-3 organist, and practitioners of African instruments like the kalimba. In addition to the core band, "Back to San Francisco" features guest appearances from musicians like trumpeter Leroy Jones, trombonist Jeremy Nesmith, rapper Todd "Woodz" Woodward, and more. The album blends jazz, funk, hip-hop, blues, and Afrobeat influences, sometimes within a single track.

  • Cameron Washington was born on February 25, 1980 in San Francisco.
  • Washington spent four years working on film sets in Hollywood after high school.
  • In 2002, Washington moved to New York to cultivate experience in both film and music.
  • Washington returned to San Francisco in 2010 and launched his film production company Russian Hill Projects.
  • Lazy Californians' debut album "Back to San Francisco" was released on February 13, 2026.

The players

Cameron Washington

A San Francisco native and the leader of the band Lazy Californians, Washington has deep roots in the musical traditions of New Orleans and has blended those influences with contemporary genres on the band's debut album.

Lazy Californians

A nine-piece band based in San Francisco that blends New Orleans jazz and brass with elements of funk, hip-hop, blues, and Afrobeat on their debut album "Back to San Francisco."

Leroy Jones

A guest trumpeter who appears on Lazy Californians' debut album.

Todd "Woodz" Woodward

A guest rapper who appears on Lazy Californians' debut album.

Angel Island Records

The record label that released Lazy Californians' debut album "Back to San Francisco."

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What they’re saying

“I knew I had a sound in my head that was something different. This was a gift to be able to put my favorite friends and musicians together to make this album, and I think we made some magic.”

— Cameron Washington, Band Leader (Globe Newswire)

The takeaway

Lazy Californians' innovative blend of New Orleans jazz and brass with contemporary genres like funk, hip-hop, and Afrobeat on their debut album "Back to San Francisco" showcases the enduring influence and evolution of the New Orleans musical tradition. The band's unique sound has generated significant interest in the San Francisco Bay Area and could help introduce a new generation to the rich legacy of jazz and brass band music.