Keyon Harrold: Tiny Desk Concert

Nikki Birch | August 15, 2024
It's a family reunion when jazz, R&B and hip-hop get together, and Keyon Harrold brought it all to his Tiny Desk, where he talked about “the good, the band, and the ugly of what life can be.”

“Gotta Go (Outer Space),” set the table for the affair, introducing Harrold and the killin’ musicians in the rhythm section and giving them a chance to settle in before special guests arrived. “Find Your Peace,” is about letting go. Seasoned with a verse from Nick Grant, a sprinkle of Rhodes by jazz rockstar, Robert Glasper, and a dash of featured vocalist, Tiana Major9, it was a tasty first course.

The title track of Harrold’s latest album, “Foreverland,” is love and longing brought to the table by STOUT. Together, with Harrold taking turns as a vocalist, they told a story about the possibilities of a dreamy romance with the support of Michelle Hunt and Mary Floyd singing background vocals. The next dish is an entrée consumed, perhaps, with a bit of reluctance. “Don’t Lie,” features Malaya pleading for answers, to which Harrold responds with a reassuring trumpet solo.

It’s apparent from everyone’s smiles, whether performing songs about joy or yearning, that they’re family creating a memory. Harrold spoke about a lesson he learned recently: friendship is an essential ingredient that nourishes the soul. For the final course, he and longtime friend PJ Morton proclaim that, with the right perspective, everyday is a “Beautiful Day.”

SET LIST
“Gotta Go (Outer Space)”
“Find Your Peace” (feat. Robert Glasper, Nick Grant & Tianna Major 9)
“Foreverland” (feat. Robert Glasper and STOUT)
“Don’t Lie” (feat. Malaya)
“Beautiful Day” (feat. PJ Morton)

MUSICIANS
Keyon Harrold: trumpet, lead vocals
Robert Glasper: keys
PJ Morton: keys, vocals
Tiana Major9: vocals
STOUT: vocals
Malaya: vocals
Nick Grant: vocals
Shedrick Mitchell: keys
David 'DJ' Ginyard: bass
Nir Felder: guitar
Jaylen Petinaud: drums
Michelle Hunt: vocals
Mary Floyd: vocals

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Nikki Birch
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Technical Director: Neil Tevault
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Sofia Seidel
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Photographer: Alanté Serene
Tiny Desk Copy Editor: Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

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