Kenny Garrett and Sounds From The Ancestors: Tiny Desk Concert

Suraya Mohamed | May 2, 2023
Saxophonist Kenny Garrett has been a significant player in jazz for more than 30 years. He's played with the best: Miles Davis, Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, the Duke Ellington Orchestra and more. And with such a fabled past, he is still pushing the boundaries of modern jazz. His most recent album, Sounds from the Ancestors, was one of NPR Music's best albums of 2021.

"I believe that music does heal people," Garrett said in a recent interview. "That's the reason that I play this music, because I know it heals me." You can hear that spiritual belief along with gospel elements of the Black American church on the first song of this Tiny Desk performance, "When the Days Were Different." On "Hargrove" Garrett pays homage to both John Coltrane's A Love Supreme and trumpeter Roy Hargrove, as the song's hard-bop infused R&B groove builds momentum right up until the end.

The set finishes strong with Ronald Bruner Jr. on drums driving an expressive display of polyrhythmic virtuosity on Garrett's "For Art's Sake," a stunning tribute to drummers Art Blakey and Tony Allen that embraces both modern jazz and Afrobeat influences.

Garrett was in town to receive the National Endowment for the Arts' highest honor in jazz: the 2023 NEA Jazz Masters award. This Tiny Desk plus other events marked the festive occasion that culminated with an exciting tribute concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

SET LIST
"When the Days Were Different"
"Hargrove"
"For Art's Sake"

MUSICIANS
Kenny Garrett: alto saxophone, keys
Rudy Bird: percussion
Corcoran Holt: acoustic bass
Melvis Santa: vocals
Ronald Bruner Jr.: drums
Keith Brown: piano, keys

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Sofia Seidel, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Josephine Nyouani
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Maia Stern, Marissa Lorusso, Hazel Cills, Pilar Galván, Jill Britton
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[dinowilliams]

I always enjoy seeing my brother perform!! My biological brother that is!! Every time I see him perform it reminds me of the first time which has been over 30 years! He is the true sax man he is the true Kenny g he's the doctor!! Thank you my brother for entertaining the world with your passion!! May the grace and peace of the most high be with you always!!

[gene-smith]

Love this! Incidentally, that's Thundercat's brother on the drums....

[timofeygolev]

0:00 When the days were different
4:51 Hargrove
10:55 For Art's Sake

[kevinhenderson]

7:54 might be the best quote in a solo ever

[mackavenue]

Thank you to NPR for having Kenny Garrett for this Tiny Desk! If you enjoyed this concert pick up your copy of "Sound from the Ancestors" on vinyl today!

[giorgiomanzardo]

I decided to be a musician in my life, that's totally thanks to kenny garrett. Today I'm a musician and I'll never stop.

[frederickwilliams]

One thing bout Kenny .. he’s going to have a legendary drummer lol 😩

[RonaldoPereiraSaxofonista]

is just incredible to see how a great master that lived the golden times in jazz just keeps surfin.

[MyEchoUniverse]

The production in this music is top-notch. It sounds like it was recorded in a professional studio.

[darkbluebossa]

Kenny Garrett is a legend! He played with Miles Davis in one of my fave Miles concerts (La Villette 1991)

[MatSmithLondon]

This will go down as a legendary performance - Kenny is so relaxed, rhythm section on fire - so down to earth, yet Santa provides this other worldly vocal texture. I've always had Garrett's music in the back of my head but this makes me want to go and re-explore his work.

[stevenponte]

Wow. Have you ever had a moment where you listened to something and thought where have you been all my life? I just had that moment!!

[helloitsmcdole]

Props to tiny desk giving roses to the best in the business! Kenny is a hero for so many of us. It's beautiful to see him showcased amongst other top notch musical acts! LLKG! LLVB!

[vanessaseymour]

The booking agents on NPR Tiny Desk are brilliant. I can't believe all the endless musical choices that are presented.

[megajames]

I was just listening to songbook yesterday too💯

[randywatson]

Within seconds you know this is going to be great. And I was not disappointed. Fantastic band, incredible performance, crisp sound - thank you Mr. Kenny Garrett and NPR.

[StantawnKendrick]

Thanks so much NPR for making this happen. Legendary

[gschmarri]

Gotta be my favorite alto sax player alive, his tone is just so distinct

[Puebow]

Ronald Bruner, you are a monster drummer of the highest power!!!

[davidskey]

3:02 quote from Miles Davis’ tune “Jean Pierre”, which in turn is based on a French lullaby.