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

[@dinowilliams3601]

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!!

[@MelodicAssymetry445]

He's definitely among the great sax players of all time. I was introduced to his music about 20 years ago and was instantly drawn in. He's my personal favorite

[@JackieLastrada]

The real Kenny G was in the house!!

[@alicefaivre-duolua]

Just saw it in south of France and happy to have been able to see him closer! I can't count how many times I listened his solos with Miles! Burning! A true Legend in my heart!

[@kpllc.]

You've definitely been blessed to have him playing around the house all those years. Many thanks and much love to you, him, and your family.

[@mindfulculturecreators]

@Dino Williams hey UNC!! And yes, Kenny is the original KENNY G!

[@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!

[@ethanburton9180]

Get that bag mack avenue I see you

[@gene-smith]

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

[@edkyle2568]

Know him from The Stanley Clarke Band featuring Hiromi

[@emmanuelmesioye8450]

Ronald Bruner ?

[@benrubins8172]

He is a friggin monster on the drums.

[@T.A.P.O.]

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

[@Baribrotzer]

That may also be a matter of the band's musicianship. Every one of them has a dead-on fully-developed personal sound - and you'd expect no less from top jazzers like this - and their sense of balance, taste, and timing are just as good. If the music is first-rate, it's not quite as hard to get a first-rate recording.

[@pws8091]

Always is from NPR - impeccably done. I subscribed and never looked back, every artist is respected beautifully in sound.

[@tdb517]

@@Baribrotzer Nah it's a constant fact with all bands going there. It sounds so natural yet so great. A lesson for all sound engineers.

[@Baribrotzer]

@@tdb517 Also, everybody has to play at low volume, and the music is not going out through a big PA a few feet away. That's going to help in getting a good sound. All they'll usually need to worry about is leakage from the drums - and the top-quality, highly directional mics they use will minimize that. Plus, it's live. Leakage isn't the problem it'd be in a studio recording, where overdubs might be used to fix clams.

[@MrBensMusic]

those crazy mics are like $2200 apiece, so that helps.

[@kevinhenderson9841]

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

[@Osnosis]

What's the quote of?

[@rawtwhylahthadrummer6256]

@@Osnosis the nursery rhyme “This Old Man”

[@ErikBruchez]

He also quotes Miles Davis's Jean Pierre at 3:00.

[@chrisone9737]

Kenny garret, yesssss

[@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.

[@src9691]

So many of Garrett's recordings and albums are marred by bad sound engineering, and Tiny Desk is putting them to shame.

[@subzu2733]

@@src9691what’s the point of saying this

[@frederickwilliams8172]

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

[@dartagnan00113]

wanted to give a shout-out to my cousin corcoran holt on the bass, GREAT music from kenny garrett and his band!!!!!!!!!!!…

[@corcoranholt651]

Love u Cuz! 👊🏾

[@timofeygolev]

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

[@giorgiomanzardo6771]

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.

[@StantawnKendrick]

Thanks so much NPR for making this happen. Legendary

[@SaxophoneDanLive]

you're up next !

[@megajames3000]

I was just listening to songbook yesterday too💯

[@BeatsNKarats]

That's his best album in my opinion, and also one of my favorite all-time albums

[@ookiiani]

amazing album

[@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!

[@vanessaseymour2634]

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

[@nikolabankovmusic]

Thank you NPR Tiny desk! ❤

[@oseimwandishi7129]

You can feel the joy in his music!

[@gschmarri2014]

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

[@rtp4527]

amen

[@TheDanSebastian]

Pure gold! Mr Garrett a beacon of humanity and the light that shines within us all! Long Live Jazz, humanity's music!

[@GjaP_242]

"Long Live Jazz, humanity's music!" Also. There are others that humanity likes. 1:23

[@randywatson5713]

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.

[@jokatech]

I had to come through and watch my uncle. Powerful!

[@valkasolidor6727]

I began by feeling that I was too restless to enjoy this tonight, but it's a superb performance by seasoned artists. Such positive spirits throughout, and as Kenny was quoted to say, "healing". What distinguishes the best of older artists to me is when you see them not just keeping the act on the road, but keeping the flame burning, expressing true spirit, often including younger musicians being nurtured and encouraged. Artists deserving mention for this are too many to mention, but clearly Kenny is still one of them.

[@nicholaswise5818]

It's incredible how he can walk up to one of the musicians and the energy increases 5 fold. Absolutely amazing.

[@lindatauhid9958]

Old school/new school contemporary vibe!❤

[@pattrick86]

This is really amazing. Thanks so much to the whole team at NPR for making these Tiny Desk Concerts possible!

[@hiruytirfe5029]

Rest In Power Vernell Brown

[@lena.dymytrenko]

it was a difficult but honorable way, Rest ... We really love you 🙏

[@corcoranholt651]

🙏🏾❤️

[@martialag]

Another amazing concert from NPR Music. You never disappoint me 👏🏾👏🏾

[@bennie_who]

I've been listening to the same version of Hargrove for so long now I only wish there was a version live and finally my wish was granted! Beautiful music!

[@adibsabir]

The Great Kenny Garrett ❤

[@davidskey]

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

[@benaviberkowitz2115]

Was looking to see if anybody noted it.

[@jazzjens]

S O O O G O O O D❣❣❣💚 💙 ❤ 💛 ❤ 🧡 💜 Kenny Garrett is LEGEND!

[@gil3green]

During one of Garrett's performances, Brunner smashed the cymbal so hard he knocked it over! Without missing a beat he reached down stood it back up and continued to jam! Good to see Bird get some space too!

[@pmanfitness]

Kenny is a legend.

[@nicolascomesse7432]

I met Kenny Garret once at Selmer Paris. From my first step in the building, I could recognize his very special sound, but the hardest part was to find him, as he clearly enjoyed playing in the corridors and the elevator. One of the friendliest and most passionate saxophonist I ever met. Thanks for this Tiny Desk!

[@CKiesling]

Keith Brown on piano. University of Oregon professor represent 🔥🔥

[@user-xf8cd2kt6h]

what a vibe!

[@Concentrum]

these guys are tight. what a performance, what a vibe

[@shakazulu365]

Melvis adds beauty and texture to this performance. I love her musicality. Viva Cuba!

[@david100r3]

This is all I need... Thx kenny, Thx npr. Fire fire fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@Puebow]

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

[@saxtant]

Absolutely transcendent. Such Unity. Love this music so much.❤

[@ronaldl9085]

Wow ... grabbed me from the first bars on ... amazing performance.

[@denouvel]

I saw him in concert during the festival "Jazz sous les pommiers" in Coutances, France in 1998 and it was so great !!

[@luismeviyu28]

Lo vi tocar en Bogotá Colombia en el año 1997 junto al fallecido pianista Kenny Kirkland, ese día es inolvidable para mi, hoy es una leyenda del saxofón el gran Garrett!!!

[@riekysamodra]

Yeayy so stoked to watch ronald bruner with kenny garrett

[@lsapluspartnersllc8082]

Kenny Garrett is an absolute beast on the saxophone who goes hard every time. Whether it’s with Miles or Marcus Miller, he kills it. He is my favorite sax player.

[@yeahmon2]

Kenny Garrett and Sounds From The Ancestors! Fantastic!

[@ethanburton9180]

Perfect bday present !!

[@ChipTheMusicMan]

The energy, the love - it's all there in the music. Superb performance!

[@RonaldoPereiraSaxofonista]

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

[@BenGardner87]

Caught his set at the Detroit Jazz Festival. The band is phenomenal. Really glad to see this.

[@Mac62little]

Percussion at its finest

[@SALIMASOUND]

Great to see you all on here! Sound good as always! Hey Mister Bird!

[@elaaltndag5713]

I was at their concert last night in Ankara, Türkiye. That was phenomenal. I just wanted to listen their performance again. Thank you NPR!

[@lukeherren5171]

This was way, waaaaaaay too short! Thank you Mr. Garrett. 🙏🙏🙏

[@pederlong1784]

The voice and sax beautiful

[@obedientjmoncrieff6220]

Talk about Truth it's all here baby!! The brother is enchanting.

[@melissasmith5002]

I’m a little late, but they SNAPPED!!! LOVE THIS, They are AMAZING!!

[@timbruer7318]

A huge groove from the word go - wonderful.

[@EricGronneberg]

Kenny is an absolute legend. His sound and compositions are both very unique. Very cool 🎶 🎷

[@maexmaestermann471]

WOW!!!! Super!!!!!!!!!!1 FINALLY a jazz saxophonist!

[@PabloVestory]

Thank you so much! With music this good and honest, who needs big displays of bright lights, screens, smoke, coreographies, inflated egos showing off...? just a few books to support a keyboard is enough. BEAUTIFUL!

[@bubajazz]

What can i say… I love Kenny Garrett!!!

[@danielleriverin3117]

From 🇨🇦 That's so cool, I love it! 😊✌️😁😇

[@essentiallearning8458]

beautiful performance

[@JackieLastrada]

That was AWESOME!! These guys were transcendent. Thanks for putting this together.

[@juanjosehurtadonunez9318]

TRUE MUSIC , TRUE ARTIST , THX KENNY

[@glummy909]

This is truly magnificent. I haven't caught myself in such awe in a while! Thank you!

[@MSYS_15]

Thank you mr Garrett and your band for blessing us with this wonderful performance

[@QuevedoSax]

WOW!!! JUST WOW!!!😍🔥😱❤️

[@dylanebel2094]

Now that is a wow performance. On repeat, great vibe...

[@ofpoprecords]

Love you guys ! Thanks !

[@eastgapeach]

I needed this. So good ❤

[@recyclebininfinity4983]

love the drumsticks!! 🍊!!

[@guilboy]

Maaan the sound is so crystal clear ....... Good job!!!

[@edkyle2568]

Sounds so good!

[@rfdm7270]

How is his tone that good😭 id give anything to sound like that

[@juansecar2]

As soulful and beautiful as always... and Roy, watching and groovin from above!!!

[@pianoworb14]

🥲🥲🥲🥲… had a few tears this mornin.. thank you so much

[@richardhayman4868]

Wow, that went by quickly! Masterful performance. Thank you, Kenny Garrett and band. Thank you, NPR.

[@dwtn81]

I’ve been waiting for this one!! BIG FAN!!!!

[@PBrew2]

My Guy Corcoran Holt on Bass! DC's very own and DESA Alum!

[@skippruitt2391]

So soulful, glad to see my brother playing on Tiny Desk. Detroit stand Up, Let's go Kenny🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@benjaminiraa]

Kenny Garret is absolutely incredible. And soul for the listener. Thank you all

[@GroovyLyfe]

Thank you for doing us so much good !! Peace

[@skimanization]

Wow, what brief but excellent entertainment!!! All sounded good. Thanks.

[@saxophone73]

Gracias!

[@amstarfrn]

Sounds of mother earth beautiful rthyms ..🌍😊angelic sounds from heaven wish to be part of the tiny desk one day .

[@erictocatlian615]

Tiny Desk is one of the best things in this world

[@taijazvidfish]

Just such great artistry brought to us by the best broadcast group. Will see Mr. Garrett at the Detroit Jazz Festival this year.

[@plvarnier]

Absolutely legendary. Thank you Mister Garrett

[@TeeceeMoody]

Wonderful!

[@TheBeardandKD]

This was great to wake up to!

[@michaelsimpson8455]

Thanks 🙏🏾, thanks... I am enjoying this series more and more. "Keke", as Quincy jones and Miles Davis call him. Virtuoso, a genius. Saxophone, flute, piano......👏🏾

[@AUrbanovicz]

Very, very good❗️🎶🤙🏾🫶🏻 regards from Poland🤜🏻

[@AnalEyesAnalyzeAnalLies]

Fantastic!

[@chrisbullock6477]

I got so much done today with this playing in the background!!!

[@DrewbiousMaximus]

Kenny!!

[@JS62515]

Thank you