Kingfish: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert

The Tiny Desk is working from home for the foreseeable future. Introducing NPR Music's Tiny Desk (home) concerts, bringing you performances from across the country and the world. It's the same spirit - stripped-down sets, an intimate setting - just a different space.
By Abby O'Neill | October 20, 2020
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram made his Tiny Desk debut in 2018 at age 19, flashing brilliance while backing hip-hop icon Rakim. Since then, this Grammy-nominated singer and guitarist from Clarksdale, Miss., has risen to critical acclaim and packed venues across the nation. Kingfish blends Delta Blues with contemporary melodies that resonate with blues lovers new and old. Evocative of mentor and collaborator Buddy Guy's signature hammer-on technique, the 21-year-old Kingfish ferries this treasured genre of the American musical tradition to contemporary audiences. His Tiny Desk (home) concert was shot at Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale with bassist Paul Rogers.
SET LIST
"Fresh Out"
"Outside of This Town
"Listen"
"Rock & Roll"
MUSICIANS
Christone "Kingfish" Ingram: vocals, guitar
Paul Rogers: bass
CREDITS
Video By: Tom Cooper
Audio By: Allen Brown
Producer: Bob Boilen
Audio Mastering Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Video Producer: Morgan Noelle Smith
Associate Producer: Bobby Carter
Executive Producer: Lauren Onkey
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

[@melaniefayemusic]

I'm always very impressed by Kingfish

[@ramii1988]

Any time he performs, what a bright future for this guy.

[@kanji_nakamoto]

...and always very impressed by both of you!

[@benito2688]

collab, pls? :)

[@robertdaniels5123]

You're a pretty impressive guitarist and artist yourself . Love seeing this new generation of young black artists with so much soul.

[@huntergoddard1882]

I love you both!

[@MommysLittleMonster]

I have followed Kingfish since his first KZbin video. I ran to my dads just to show him this new talent I had stumbled across. Fast forward...just lost Daddy this year. So, seeing this this morning, nearly made me weep. It was everything that my heart needed. And THIS is why ima always rock with this beautiful Man. Thank you NPR for our beloved Christone KINGFISH! This truly is a gift to my soul.

[@ahmindamon]

Condolences 🙏🏾

[@Raygun34]

Blessings to you and your family 🙏🏿

[@callen0915]

So sorry for your loss. ♥️🙏 It's amazing how music can heal though.

[@cherylkimble7526]

Sorry for the loss of your father. 🙏🏼🕊💖💯

[@micvain1003]

That is true but do you not were I can get one of his albums

[@latchodives]

Kingfish AND Tiny Desk, never clicked so fast on a video!

[@chezchezchezchez]

How did you like it?

[@latchodives]

@@chezchezchezchez loved it. Specially the first two songs. I added that to my list of songs / solos to transcribe on guitar :)

[@RaizaTMM]

Same lol

[@MommysLittleMonster]

SAAAAAAME!

[@broadbunny6945]

Big facts

[@febinho100]

I would pay for a Kingfish-Anderson Paak collab

[@kylemotty5951]

"I'll take "things I didn't know I needed" for 1000, Levar."

[@julos71]

...to see kingfish playing funk, and i'm sure it could be a very good idea ;)

[@nolberding]

@@kylemotty5951 Loving the fact Levar is now Mr. Jeopardy. From traveling the galaxy to reading in a rainbow, he ceases to amaze me.

[@hoptoad5367]

@@kylemotty5951 couldn’t have said it better 😂

[@AbzAden]

@@kylemotty5951 looks like u hit the daily double how much u gonna wager my good sir

[@lenmusic123]

Kingfish is the past, present and future of the Blues

[@BarbButler]

💗 💖 💘 💝 💟 ☮️

[@kristofferlund6398]

Maybe the most accurate comment in KZbins history.

[@gregbayles3711]

Pretty much. Keeping the blues fresh without losing the feeling

[@SteveInQLD007]

well said cause this fellah is mature well beyond his years! I'm really looking forward to seeing him play at Bluesfest this October at Byron Bay, Australia

[@mikesoliz1230]

the most valid comment on KZbin

[@JohnOhkumaThiel]

Now I know what it was like to hear a young BB King.

[@brownkemosabe]

Been following him since he was 19. A true bluesman! Nothing makes a lover of the blues happier than seeing a young blues brother succeed

[@shmuelkaplan9259]

Not only is Kingfish one of the best guitarists of our generation; his voice is also incredible!

[@duane2344]

I have never heard singing coming from a guitar since BB. This is my 2nd day of nonstop Kingfish uplifting my soul.

[@GJSsongsmith]

What a talent . Best young blues player I’ve ever heard and I’ve been playing for 50 years and teaching guitar for 30 . The timing , phrasing , voice and songwriting skill . It’s all there . God bless you Kingfish . This is real gut felt music .

[@coldcreative4601]

21 years old and has been creating world class guitar playing for years already. Feels like we get a chance to witness the birth of a potential new legend

[@seamusmiller1108]

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate how locked into the grooves Paul Rogers is? That's what we call "in the pocket". Love Kingfish-one of my favorite bluesman in the modern era!

[@midniterodgers2920]

Thanx sir

[@biscuityumm2458]

I think my strat must be broken, it doesn’t sound anything like this.

[@MianCowell]

Obviously you need to buy more effects pedals!

[@thelil]

Neither does mine!!!

[@Ahamjhaa]

Just change caps!

[@ramii1988]

The joke is broken and old my bro.

[@MsAndresalgado]

Is it tuned?

[@mdav30]

Not only is this guy a total ace on the fretboard, but he sings great AND writes his own original stuff. Blues/rock is in good hands!

[@Shaun.Sparico]

I am a metalhead through and through since the late '70s, mainly due to the fact that I love the sound of an ear-piercing guitar. Sometimes I would fall back on the Blues. Due to this fact, I came across this talent by accident, and man am I glad that I did. I am still in awe that this man is only 21 years old with this kind of talent. I bought his album Kingfish and think that it's great. Looking forward to a live "in-person" show.

[@mileqjameel8166]

You are One of Many (Including Myself) that are Reminded that This Thang Started with The Mother.....The Blues.

[@effsharp7]

He's the real deal . If someone has a problem with Kingfish, they have a problem with not just the blues, but with music.

[@edsinrise9803]

Shout out to Paul Rogers on bass.

[@jeremyurena297]

I was dying when kingfish was absolutely shredding and he was on still on the same 3 note riff

[@ibelieveinsound]

Holding it down indeed.

[@samtaylor2631]

Thought it was buddy guy on bass 😂

[@hp1513..]

Paul was money

[@MoshEnthusiast]

@@hp1513.. bruh he really was

[@nohabloemojislosiento4930]

I like how his riffs are often stripped back and clean, bluesey riffs and then his solos are wild and blaring and fast. Gifted my dad a kingfish CD for Christmas. Know he'll appreciate him too.

[@jimcrowe366]

We saw Kingfish at the 2019 Monterey Jazz Festival. Once he started playing, the look of awe on people’s face was amazing. He impressed for sure. People were running into the Garden stage to see who was making that great sound. It was a great show. He is an amazing artist.

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *Fresh Out* (4:19) 4:30 - *Outside of This Town* (10:23) 11:09 - *Listen* (14:41) 14:56 - *Rock & Roll* (19:07)

[@nsalegit9482]

Hey. You make this channel better. That is all.

[@HexViccissitude]

14:56 - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room

[@spankingmonkey53]

@@HexViccissitude lol welcome to the blues. John Mayer was inspired by Jeff Beck’s People Get Ready to write slow dancing and jeff was prob inspired by someone else before that.

[@OnwardsUpwards]

Love Listen and Rock & Roll in particular. Amazing. New to blues here.

[@Phaseish]

King

[@farudaru]

Just watched him live yesterday! And I was in tears of joy. Kingfish is the present and future of Blues, and I am glad to say the Blues are in safe hands.

[@hellimancini5299]

Just a kid and already a legend. Unbelievable talent. Shout out too for the bassist, fabulous stuff.

[@Thebarbariantruckershow]

Wow! Kingfish, you've lost Tons of weight. Looking good! Just don't lose that soulful playing. We want you around for decades to come.

[@Grind_Over_Matter]

21. Just think about that for a second.

[@JacobDFerguson]

Phew, nuts man!

[@hootiehootheblowphish4109]

Imagine him in 20 years if he's this good now

[@nigel5634]

@@hootiehootheblowphish4109 ohhh boy he’ll be doing some other worldly things for sure!

[@johngist3761]

He's on the same trajectory as Prince was he started. Prodigious.

[@nolberding]

There's just something about the way he plays... He's got this... extra... thing... that just blows my mind every time I hear his solos. I'm a metalhead at heart, but Kingfish just slays everything in his path! Can't wait for the touring season to open up!

[@dmobeatz5355]

Y'all got Kingfish too! Tiny desk is🔥🎸🤘

[@Chefheezy]

Wow did not expect to see kingfish here. A legend before he even started.

[@megajames3000]

Kingfish is keeping the blues alive 🤘🏾✊🏾

[@HeROsiNhEaVeN]

So much music inside him and yet so young....kingfish is an old soul....🙏🏻

[@markbowenagates1987]

The most important bluesman of the next 20 years. Hands down. He's evolving before our very ears! He gets better every day.

[@WhisperingPeace]

Good Lord, have mercy! I love me some Kingfish! A King of the Blues. A King of the guitar! ❤️

[@igorscesujr4467]

The goats are here

[@MommysLittleMonster]

You ain’t lyin, Igor!

[@carriepinkham2183]

I saw him live last year. He is AMAZING!!! Had tickets to see him this year, but was cancelled. Can't wait until I can see him live again.

[@acy8179]

Always cry listening to Rock & Roll, no matter what ! I can’t wait to see this guy in person !

[@littlemoex0001]

He is literally a living legend. Saw him live last year and he blew my mind. So surreal seeing him live after watching him for years. And he looks so good. He lost a lot of weight. He's so good

[@consulentecomunicazionestr3072]

I'm often bored by same old blues music. I like art rock, experimental music and so. But when I listened Kingfish, I remained without words. He's an universal genius and one of the most incredible artists I ever seen.

[@matheusandraski2401]

Yo bro I'm agree with you

[@naysayer1343]

An extraordinary young talent. Been a fan since seeing his cover of Thrill is Gone. A legend in the making!

[@vandergod]

Saw him play that on Luke Cage. Been a fan ever since.

[@luisduarte309]

Hey my guitar doesn’t do that

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

Been following him since he was 13 year old. Will go down as one of the best to ever do it.

[@noahturner1639]

So young and yet so skilled, can’t wait to see his future in the industry!

[@nashboro1847]

Kingfish is carrying the torch. The BLUES will never die!

[@randycarlisle6814]

The world needs more Kingfish. I met him before he was famous, when he was just a teen wanting to play guitar - that's all he wanted to do and he learned to do it so well. What an awesome person he is.

[@gm692000us]

King Fish grabbed the baton from B.B King in full stride years ago and he hasn’t looked back since. 🔥🔥

[@edmclaughlin4956]

Watching this through tears of joy. Thank you Kingfish and Tiny Desk!

[@darylharvey2865]

It's like Jimi & SRV never left. This young man is genius.

[@adamjackson3670]

SRV? Forgive my ignorance

[@samuelihewitt]

@@adamjackson3670 stevie ray vaughan

[@adamjackson3670]

@@samuelihewitt thankyou

[@darylharvey2865]

@@adamjackson3670 No worries at all! Stevie Ray Vaughan.

[@billylincoln2088]

@@samuelihewitt forget SRV. albert king, freddie king, bb king, rory gallagher, peter green, duane & dicky. nice guy, but stevie ray was a one trick pony

[@esdraslopez4658]

All hail the great Kingfish! This guy is AMAZING! I am hypnotized by his music and obsessed with his craftsmanship.

[@sigogglin]

I saw his rig rundown, he only uses an overdrive and delay pedals. Less is more with Blues!

[@dailybaglimit]

I love these two guys, they play it like it’s meant to be played, they play it because they have to, they would play the blues for free any day of the week, but I would recommend buying his albums, they are great. Christone is my favorite blues man playing in 2021 for sure 🎸 makes that Strat sing.

[@thesaymsia]

Lets go Kingfish!!! So glad to see him up on tiny desk!

[@owen_asztalos]

One of the greatest musicians of all time, I stand by that.

[@Shalomcoffeehub]

😰😰😰😰 🇿🇼 Love from Africa .SRV/Hendrix has risen 🤘🏻 .The soul in his guitar hits me hard

[@elvis_chen]

Blues will never die.

[@abaneyone]

This is what makes Tiny Desk great!

[@ThatGuy-oc4mv]

Long live the blues!

[@aheartwork]

One of the most gifted musicians of our time 🙌

[@geebee44]

An accumulation of all who's come before him... next level!

[@jasonlujan9105]

Saw him play last year on his 21st birthday. Still trying to comprehend what I witnessed. Long live Kingfish.

[@post.hack.depression]

Blast from the past. Gotta love The Blues

[@LCC144]

Wow his voice gets better every time I hear him. Guitar playing still out of this world

[@jensine.ondrums]

Words cannot express how good this was 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@roseartspoonbill477]

This legend is just 21. Twenty. One.

[@Ben-Ken]

Was hoping to hear empty promises but I'm glad he finally got his own tiny desk concert. LOVE IT!

[@danielmalone4820]

Just hearing of this badass for the first time and already hoping to hear a collaboration between him and Marcus King. Two 20 somethings keeping the blues alive

[@RHagans]

Just discovered this guy and boy have I been missing out!! Happy to have come across him. Excellent talent and voice.

[@iamLexxKelsey]

That bass player he has always hold down a nice groove on every video i see him

[@wizardofahhhhhhz]

I love Kingfish! So happy to see him on Tiny Desk!

[@jojojojojojojojojojojojob]

blues will always be relevant specially these days..

[@jt9800]

If you haven't yet, go listen to his self-titled, debut album. It's awesome!

[@MikeTheMusicJudge]

Gary Clark jr and Kingfish need to collab

[@jaydechose8046]

Was thinking the same

[@darthkenobeee8385]

Very true.

[@JosuhaoMiranda]

Ad Mayer to this

[@matteocot9673]

And Philip Sayce

[@williamwilson9283]

The blues are in good hands with Kingfish, can't wait to hear him in person one day.

[@tealblackwhiteteal]

he's such a freaking boss. thank you for featuring this crazy talent

[@nickgreen7646]

THIS DUDE IS FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Been following him since he was fifteen

[@syckindahead]

Just heard him at the Blues Tent at JazzFest and he was outstanding. He and the band had a standing ovation after the first song! It was a great set. Thx NPR Tiny Desk for this Home performance.

[@islandmanmikep]

oh my god!! He is a guitar god and an amazing voice of music. I am a forever fan.

[@laurabezerra1234]

Esse cara é demais, pelo amor de Deus. Um gigante da música!!!!!!

[@kelmo54]

Jeez each time I find a new artist NPR is years ahead of me.

[@syckindahead]

😄same. I recently watched a clip of Kingfish at the museum in Nashville and had to research.

[@JLBREMER]

I love LOVE seeing people play with his or her soul. It’s in the face. You can just tell and see it’s props to this guy… wooooooooo

[@ChrisBrown-oh5oe]

Young brother VERY TALENTED!!!! Would love to jam with him.

[@nickgreen7646]

He maybe the one to keep blues alive. Especially with platforms like NPR giving him the much needed espouser that he needs. He really is a prodigy..... leaves the guitar smoking evetime.

[@runotit]

Everyone talks about his guitar playing abilities, but he’s an amazing vocalist as well!

[@trent.vs.robots]

Man this guy is talented. Always happy to see him on tiny desk.

[@wyldbill100]

Imma 70's and 80's R&R but found Kingfish a few years back and was absolutely blown away with his playing and I've been a BIG fan ever since. PURE GOLD!

[@philipgregorysougles1744]

He's a true musician, all about performing live

[@Ryanbaggarly]

I wish I could show a picture of when I met him here. He sang at a festival this last June in Garland Texas. Thank you Jimmy for making this happen

[@longawelt9639]

What can be sexier than weeping guitar solo and velvet vibrato singing? Bravo!

[@dlk7003]

The first two songs are a masterclass in modern blues guitar. One in A, one in E, every note in the scale, every position on the fretboard. Perfection.

[@timdunn9944]

This is what people should be listening to every day

[@consulentecomunicazionestr3072]

World would be better

[@barbaracrook1902]

Saw an interview with Christone on PBS News. Came here immediately. When I get my job back, I'm buying. Thanks, PBS, for clueing me in.

[@KrismanX]

CHRISTONE!!!! What a King. Glad to see him on

[@againsttheodds52]

I love you NPR Tiny desk!!! Over the years I must have discovered no less than 15 bands here that I now love and listen to every single day. Looks like I will be adding Kingfish to that list. Good stuff guys!

[@ispearedbritney]

I miss Beale Street. Thank you for this dose of Soul.

[@tedsmith5804]

What a great songwriter! The song "Listen" tugs at my heart strings every time I hear it and to hear and see it live is just over the top! Thank you Kingfish and NPR!

[@ChuckTraylor]

just discovered this awesome talent after watching a doc on Buddy Guy. Love hearing that Strat being pushed like that!

[@soluteemoji]

Guys these home tiny desks make this quarantine so much more bearable oml thank you soo much!!!!

[@carltoncotter2614]

Kingfish is the King. Peace on earth.

[@carltoncotter2614]

What I said 9 months ago. Peace.

[@5326478]

Amazing blues virtuoso and musical phenom. And to think, he’s only 21. Moving mountains with mustard seeds!!!

[@CP-hi5pn]

As a beginner with the guitar (as in 2 weeks in of daily practice) I’ve had the hardest time understanding how to identify the blues scale and how it fits into real songs with improvisation and everything. Never had an easier time finding the root notes in the scale as they go exactly with the bass guitar. Great to not only be able to hear but see. Also, this man is only 21 give or take a year. What is he is going to be in 10, 15 years.... I do agree that those folks that were able to see BB king in the early days are us now in 2020...To all those that are just discovering this generational talent, have fun with your KZbin binge 😄...

[@noah6787]

Pentatonic scale my friend. Find the key the song is in, and have a blast thinking you’re one of the greats

[@robertforgaci9427]

rock n roll made me cry.. doesn't happen that much.. you really did sell your soul to music, and it was worth it ! cheer to all the mothers, they all keep this world togheter

[@mmm0513]

10 years from now Kingfish will be the GOAT

[@danchak7465]

About time! This artist is freaking fantastic and perfect for this program!!!