Andra Day: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

My rule when booking Tiny Desk Concerts is to see artists live before they come to the office. I've heard many a great record only to be disappointed by a live show. But when I heard Andra Day sing "Forever Mine" from her album Cheers To The Fall, I decided to break my rule, sight unseen.

When Day started warming up for this set, I could see that she was born to perform. She's able to channel the likes of Nina Simone and Billie Holiday in songs that feel candid and vulnerable, but not understated.

Day studied singing in a performing-arts high school in San Diego. A live performance found its way to Stevie Wonder after a chance meeting with his wife. Day was then introduced to songwriter and producer Adrian Gurvitz and then Raphael Saadiq to help her make Cheers To The Fall. This is an unforgettable performance, and she's got a talented backing band to boot.

Cheers To The Fall is available now.

Set List
"Forever Mine" 00:00
"Rise Up" 03:42
"Gold" 08:00

Credits
Producers: Bob Boilen, Morgan Walker; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Walker, Julia Reihs; Production Assistant: Kate Drozynski; photo by Jun Tsuboike/NPR

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[eleanorjones]

Just seen the movie she portrays as Billie Holiday. Spectacular performance

[slingsby]

Let's do this incredible woman the honours of not comparing her to anyone. She's a first rate Andra Day and that is the bomb

[AuthorLHollingsworth]

Her vintage style of dress and classic voice is pure magic. Love her!

[UrbanCastle]

Her music is so full of heart and emotion, as an adoring listener, I find it impossible to see her giggle so cheerfully at the end of each song while I’m simply trying to catch my breath and mop the floor of my own emotion. Andra Day, you are such a great, great gift.

[enzerabowenzu]

How dare you... HOW DARE YOU SLAY ME WITH THOSE VOCALS

[CassieJazz]

A vocalist and now a Golden Globe winner! Still one of my favorite NPR Tiny Desk concerts💕

[Mrcancan]

Her style is Andra Day period, she has her own lane respect it!!!

[mydearlady]

She's like Billie Holiday singing neo-soul, tinged with R&B, jazz, and hip hop.

[heatguyjr]

i think the Rihanna comments are mostly because of her look, because Andra Day is singing quite a few levels above what Rihanna is capable of (and that's not a diss to Rihanna).

[tameekawyndon]

I'm just used to true singers (they sang), those whose vocals are not hidden beneath instrumentation and machine engineering. Thus, I truly appreciate Tiny Desk Concerts for this reason. Many artists do not perform live or a capella because they do not have these skills.

[reneeseabrooks]

She is the unicorn! Who has a voice like this without being in a studio! Omgooosh I love her!

[cjdum]

Listening to her sing makes you feel good about being a human being.

[shaiinyatefra]

Her soul is not hiding here...honesty is so refreshing...her voice thrives....kudos Andra!

[colorfullifeproductions]

Andra Day is an exquisite talent with her own style, poised, classy and We are Loving her vibe!

[teleopinions]

This is one of my favorite singers to date from Tiny Desk. Very few people sound that good in person versus their studio singles/albums. She's an incredible performer and she's from my city. The band behind her is really solid too.

[DEATH_TO_TYRANTS]

this was like crawling out of a closed muggy tent and taking a deep breath of fresh air, topped off with a big gulp of cold clean spring water, oh man...:)

We need more new music like this!

[reginataylorhines]

Rise Up allowed me to deal with my pain and joy to be my Mother's caregiver. It sums up the experience for both of us. Aura Day's talent is a gift from God herself... Smiles!!

[WLOMA]

Why comment? Bob wrote it already in his introduction " This is an unforgettable performance, and she's got a talented backing band to boot." That's so true.... I also like the small piano :-)

[BigBawdyBook]

I live for that lime green clip in the front of her bangs!! 😍😍

[LvdSl]

Tiny desk concerts has brought me so much new artist to listen to. The only channel where autoplay is always a good suprise. thank you NPR <3