He studied at The High School of Music & Art, graduating in 1976.

He has worked with Ronnie Mathews, Lee Konitz, Betty Carter, Johnny Griffin, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, George Cables, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Ahmad Jamal, Sonny Stitt, James Spaulding, Phil Woods, Bill Charlap, Bobby Watson, Curtis Lundy, and Tommy Flanagan.

Washington serves on the faculty of SUNY Purchase and The Juilliard School.

[2][3] Washington's essays on contemporary and historical jazz figures have been featured in numerous jazz album releases and reissues.

With Ruby Braff With Joshua Breakstone With Kenny Burrell With George Cables With Benny Carter With Bill Charlap With Teddy Edwards and Houston Person With Dizzy Gillespie With Benny Green With Buck Hill With Plas Johnson and Red Holloway With Randy Johnston With Etta Jones With Lee Konitz With Jimmy McGriff With Jane Monheit With Mingus Dynasty With Ralph Moore With David "Fathead" Newman With Hod O'Brien With Houston Person With Melvin Rhyne With Wallace Roney With Charlie Rouse With Randy Sandke With James Spaulding With Larry Willis With Michael Weiss With others