Washington was born in New Orleans, and whilst still in his teens, he was invited to play in Lee Dorsey's band.

[1] During this time he continued to work as a solo artist, and in the late 1970s formed his own band, the Roadmasters, and toured Europe with them.

[2] Washington released his first solo album Rainin' In My Life in 1981 from a small local label Hep' Me.

[3][4] Washington started to play regularly with two New Orleans musicians, the organist Joe Krown and the drummer Russell Batiste, Jr., working as a trio at the Maple Leaf Bar.

Washington appears in performance footage in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky!, which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz.