Robert Glasper & Bilal At NPR Music's 10th Anniversary Concert

Robert Glasper's music is a study in convergences. A pianist, bandleader and composer with a strong foothold in modern jazz, he belongs no less to the terrain of contemporary gospel, alternative hip-hop — and R&B, the category under which he won his first two Grammy awards (of three). Glasper has carved a signature out of this cross-genre dialogue; consult his recent explainer for Jazz Night in America, about the jazz roots of some famous hip-hop samples.

At NPR Music's 10th Anniversary Concert at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., Glasper came to play, bringing longtime associate Derrick Hodge on electric bass and a newer collaborator, Justin Tyson, on drums. The performance began with something like an invocation, as Hodge played a chiming and meditative elaboration on "Portrait of Tracy," a ballad by Jaco Pastorius.

What came next was an unbilled guest: Bilal, the shape-shifting R&B vocalist who has known Glasper since the first day of freshman year at the New School for Jazz & Contemporary Music in New York. They dug into "All Matter," a tune that first appeared on Glasper's 2009 album Double Booked, later resurfacing on Bilal's 2010 release Airtight Revenge. The lyrics establish a philosophical reflection well suited to our times:

We're all the same
And all so very different
Divine by design
It all intertwines

Glasper and Bilal have performed "All Matter" countless times, always managing to find some new motivation in the song. This performance features a keyboard solo that starts out terse and gradually opens up and expands, hinting at some tricky rhythmic displacement that Tyson later ratifies, in his spectacular drum solo.

Glasper's solemn but uplifting piano interlude leads into another Bilal original, "Levels," a portrait of relationship strife that refuses to lay the blame fully on either side. It's an argument for rendering complexity with clarity — something Glasper and crew know a thing or two about. -- Nate Chinen

SET LIST
"Portrait of Tracy" (excerpt) by Jaco Pastorius
"All Matter" by Bilal Oliver
"Levels" by Bilal Oliver

CREDITS
Director: Colin Marshall; Producers: Colin Marshall, Benjamin Naddaff-Hafrey; Technical Director: Josh Rogosin; Live Mix Engineer: Shawn "Gus" Vitale; Supervising Producer: Mito Habe-Evans; Managing Producers: Bob Boilen, Jacob Ganz, Jessica Goldstein, Abby O'Neill; Creative Director and Producer: Peter Glantz; Concert Videographers: Bronson Arcuri, Kara Frame, Nickolai Hammar, Morgan Noelle Smith, Maia Stern, Niki Walker; Production Assistant: CJ Riculan; Editor: Annabel Edwards; Special Thanks: The 9:30 Club; Executive Producers: Anya Grundmann, Keith Jenkins.

[RobFlaxMusic]

Derrick Hodge is so friggin' good. I saw Glasper Experiment in Boston a couple years ago, and I stupidly asked what gear he was using... After the answer was a nothing-fancy amp, somebody leaned in and whispered to me... "dude it's his fingers." 😂

[voyager]

Bilal is one of the most underrated vocalists of the last 15 years. Thanks for giving him some shine NPR. #PhillyRepresent

[lew]

Got me over here in tears of remembrance, reflection, and celebration...Didn’t know they were gonna perform “All Matter”...It’s a song that I listened to on repeat when my mother passed away and it helped get me through...Shout out to Robert Glasper, Bilal, and NPR....Mother, your presence and spirit are truly missed. Love you! Rest easy.

[bankolefrancis]

Bilal has the best falsetto. His Voice in general is super dope...

[AwesomeBeatBoy]

I could listen to Robert Glasper and Bilal all day

[TjJackson]

Gather here if you're still listening in 2025!!

[jda]

The drummers that work with glasper are mindblowing.. All Matter here is so beautiful

[clarissab]

Love this. Anything Robert Glasper and Bilal do together is gold. The bassist and drummer were amazing as well.

[spiros]

That Jaco tribute in the beginning really touched

[IamOrganised]

You can tell this is a Jazz gig because everyone can clap in time

[daniellevy]

Derrick Hodge!! sound, time and chops are on point

[derrickro]

Bilals voice reminds me of prince how he change tunes its so unique respect

[nyshonadonis]

I believe the artist like Bilal and Erykah and all these artists who weren't mainstream at first will have lots more success than weve seen in years to come beacuse in their time they were in the future which is NOW so now that they are still making music at this time its going to be respected more. Im happy to be alive at this time of music.

[havenofrest]

Bilal is de expression of vocals beyond normal dimension, Robert glasper is de catalyst that speeds up musical reactions in the soul ...

[marlonjawon]

Bilal is My Favorite Singer. His Voice Is Phenomenal Beyond Measure. HES so SPECIAL and PRECIOUS He Can Do Things With His Voice that leave You Speechless Continually. What a GIFT 🎁

[MosTalent]

The genius of Robert Glasper's framing of a melodic piece is something to behold, particularly when chords lay tapestry's behind the fluid occidentals of master vocalist, Bilal. Together they render the listener enchanted - the ensemble transports you to a space - a weightless, atmospheric, beautiful place ...The culmination of all things spiritual and artistic - we sit witness to creation...

[cuevasstephens]

A Bilal concert is a musical experience.

[gabvalente]

What a drummer, ladies and gentlemens.

[turtles]

#respecther
I feel like musically this is where my heart lies. Shoutout Robert Glasper, Bilal. Two of my favs. Great lyrics.

[ruggedtechie]

That drummer is a freaking metronome ....tight