Nate Smith + KINFOLK: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Nov. 3, 2017 | Suraya Mohamed -- Rhythm is the foundation for many a musical experience. Its driving pulse yields a power that quite often demands movement - a toe to tap, a body to sway. But drummer Nate Smith provides more than just a beat. He intentionally weaves nuanced rhythmic counterpoint in and out of his catchy melodies and dulcet harmonies.
Just try to discern the multiple time signatures in the first tune, "Skip Step" Syncopated yet steady, its rhythmic motifs bolster Jon Cowherd's keyboard riff and the song's melodic statement, played in unison by saxophonist Jaleel Shaw and guitarist Jeremy Most.
The quintet slides right into "Retold," a beautiful song with a nostalgic melody that suggests a quiet moment for personal reflection and self-discovery. On "Pages," Smith welcomed vocalist Amma Whatt to the stage (so to speak). She wrote the lyrics for Smith's 2017 album Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere, his first eponymous record after a 15-year career performing with other jazz artists like Chris Potter and Dave Holland.
What really impressed the audience was the performance of Smith's self described "short but angry" final tune, "Rambo: The Vigilante." Hypnotized by its shifting time signatures, this fusion jam is punctuated with a haunting rock lick played simultaneously by the entire band, and seamlessly aligned with Smith's dazzling display of dexterous genius.
Set List
"Skip Step"
"Retold"
"Pages"
"Rambo: The Vigilante"
Musicians
Nate Smith (drums); Jaleel Shaw (saxophone); Amma Whatt (vocals); Fima Ephron (bass); Jon Cowherd (keyboard); Jeremy Most (guitar)
Credits
Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Producers: Suraya Mohamed, Morgan Noelle Smith; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Niki Walker, Nicholas Garbaty, Alyse Young; Editor: Niki WalkerProduction Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Claire Harbage/NPR
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.

[@natesmithdrumsofficial]

Thank you so much everyone!

[@globalsoundconcerts]

Nate Smith Music thanks so much for coming I love recording your tunes

[@DavidHimmelPerforms]

THE LEGENDARY!!!!!

[@jean-paulelve6338]

No, thank you for this, really 👏

[@jimmybootz1277]

You da man Nate!!!😎

[@michaelmoore5015]

My man Abdullah Rahman (NJ drummer) and I talk at length about being in the pocket and beautiful play. Nate!!! You’re killin this set!

[@joshlovegood9392]

For anyone interested, the first song 'Skip Step' is in 17/8. Unbelievable playing by Nate and the whole band to hold that monster of a piece together.

[@JaneWillowMusic]

So how do you count it? I'm curious. Does anyone know?

[@joshlovegood9392]

@@JaneWillowMusic If you want, obviously you can count 17/8. But to groove along, and how Nate counts it: Count a bar of 4/4, a bar of 3/4 then a bar of 3/8. Repeat :) So cool

[@joshlovegood9392]

@@JaneWillowMusic To help you get it, watch the saxophonist at the start of the video

[@frasermcallister6058]

@@JaneWillowMusic I find it easier to count alternating bars - first bar is regular 4/4 and second is 9/8 (so still 17/8 altogether). To count the second bar it's 1,2,3,4,& where the 4 and the & are dotted eighth notes - try counting with the accents on Nate's drums - the snare is landing on every 2 and 4 like a regular backbeat and then the '4, &' bit kinda stutters.

[@megyalilaballad]

It makes most sense to count two bars of 8/8 followed by the accentuated 1/8, and repeat.

[@jaleelshaw]

Had a great time recording this w/ Nate.

[@goodfella1605]

u the dude!

[@adamchenadamov]

Wowwwwww

[@daarchitec6686]

Bro... That solo on Rambo.. Omg.. You went Coo!!

[@ericfricke4512]

Bro you rock!

[@Fkn_WEIRDO]

All of y'all are DOPE

[@jefersonv8]

He's so good that benny greb plays the guitar in this band

[@adrianunser332]

Amazing comment

[@ramonlalabibzobu]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

[@TimSuliman]

I thought it was Jurgen Klopp

[@julianc.6589]

best comment I've seen a long time

[@ChordsGamingHub]

HAHAHA that would be a monter band. Benny probably shreds aswell!

[@increasessex]

I've never heard in my life a player articulate in a way so that they sound like they are played in reverse: 15:09 absolutely nuts

[@valentinasanchez5757]

Genious

[@brupster]

Look at his jaw, some weird movements, this is really smth.

[@callummoodley6311]

15:10 - 15:20 sounds like the sax is in reverse, so sick

[@tavianmorgan3354]

Jaleel Shaw 🎷

[@programmer1840]

I thought that as well!

[@doxskew2221]

Imagine that with that reverse groove nate smith does. That would sound crazy

[@mexkdspEd44]

As a drummer I found myself pausing and replaying parts so many times. This video is a 17 minute drum clinic

[@justinmwhitaker]

Jacob Collazo I’m not a drummer. Guitars were my thing. But holy hell, that rhythm he puts under Amma...

[@colindowell6427]

Mate is the man...

[@colindowell6427]

And I can't spell 'Nate'.

[@pseudop0d]

I’m trying to figure how you would count the first price.

[@loadedlongboardlover]

@@pseudop0d i count it as two bar phrases of 4/4 and 9/8

[@holygroove2]

When the drummer leads the band, it makes a huge difference in the sound of the music. I really like this entire set.

[@ts4gv]

Absolutely. A similar thing applies to jazz bands led by bassists. Anybody know of any cool records led primarily by a drummer and bassist duo?

[@nameloss]

@@ts4gv tetsuo sakurai and akira jimbo from casiopea released a few records as “jimsaku”. you may want to look into them, fun fusion albums i’d say. remember them sounding very 90s but definitely enjoyable if you’re in the mood

[@ts4gv]

@@nameloss thanks

[@gamegyro56]

@@ts4gv I like the bands Om and NOMEANSNO. The first is an esoteric doom stoner metal band. The second is a jazz-influenced punk band. Both started out as a drum-bass duo, but added guitarists later (but are still led by the drummer and bassist).

[@ts4gv]

@@gamegyro56 thanks

[@alexismoma]

The roll he does at 3:50 and 3:58 with just his right hand it's SUPERB, it's so quiet and controlled, man this guy is just so A W E S O M E, that with just one roll he had me replying it 5 times to appreciate enough.

[@jacobanteau6020]

Didn't even notice that, that's crazy

[@marco_2good32]

When your food doesn't have enough salt 1:50

[@kick1337]

That was objectively funny.

[@heladoscuro5074]

I'm dead 😂😂😂 lol

[@davidcarmona7992]

Hahaha

[@brettkorsok4208]

Best comment I’ve seen in so long

[@M310GL]

😂😂😂 😂😂😂 😂😂😂

[@luciano_ratamero]

0:00 - Skip Step 3:13 - Retold 9:06 - Pages 13:27 - Rambo: The Vigilante

[@Gman4MF]

up this... thnx

[@mrmexico25]

Do you know if the tune Rambo has been recorded? I can't find that shit anywhere

[@ts4gv]

ty

[@rayceparker1551]

Cool comment thanks

[@ottoolah]

@@mrmexico25 it’s on the upcoming Kinfolk 2 album

[@zenbeastaudio5191]

The towel is on the drum because the drum sweats when he gets near it.

[@patrickmchugh4616]

I just saw this comment today and I laughed so hard haha just imagining how much the snare is afraid of Nate's powers... LOL

[@sang.tukang]

Hahahahahha!

[@lolaaaaaaaaaaaa]

lol brilliant

[@danielirvine7468]

That’s awesome

[@akeemgreen761]

😂😂😂golden

[@rhoadie]

The drums sound perfect! cristal clear, perfect dynamics. The sound engineer is insane.

[@drewb5775]

except that crash cymbal

[@weslisahum]

true that true that!

[@SuperKakaras]

@@drewb5775 That's the cymbal, not the engineer 🤸

[@felixm1716]

@@SuperKakaras no it's the cymbal passing the on Axis of the mic right next to it. So it is getting alternately captured from above and below. But besides that...really great sound with a simple setup!

[@imaginationman]

Nate Smith has been world class for 25+ years... It's great to see him finally getting the national and international spotlight he deserves and with his OWN band to boot!

[@billxrl4154]

He gives me the impression that he doesnt get scared while flying..

[@ChuckTheOwner]

I see what you did there ;)

[@HimanXK]

It's become weird to see him with sleeves

[@johnlanou]

i bet he'd sound good with no cymbals

[@kirjian]

Good comment

[@lesliesmith9998]

I play Tiny Desk in the background while I work and most of the time I have it minimized. This is a great way to discover some great music. As the bandleader introduced the band, I heard, from Paducah, Kentucky...Jon Cowerd. I stop, maximize the screen, and say, "Hey, I graduated from HS with that dude!" It is great to see a hometown guy doing well. Keep up the great work!

[@DomPusey]

He also plays with Brian Blade's Fellowship Band, definitely worth checking out!

[@RisikoAO]

Nate Smith is one of the greatest drummers of his generation. That groove!

[@TheDionSaelan]

beautiful..

[@bravenewface]

Nate's brush work is godlike.

[@hrysivjt67]

His brush technique is masterful.

[@Barren636]

I love it. No one is showing off. Such good synergy. Usually not a huge sax guy, but this guy can play beautifully without it being overwhelming.

[@tavianmorgan3354]

Jaleel Shaw 🎷

[@holygroove2]

I like his compositional ideas, they are easy to listen to and satisfying. I like this approach to the drums - he's playing more than just odd time - he's playing color and feeling simultaneously. I disconnect when drummers or musicians play in odd time signatures for their own sake, or to sound impressive. This sounds like music that just happens to be in odd time.

[@LetsTalkAboutFeelings]

I think that you will enjoy listening to Gavin Harrison's work too.

[@raphcourte420]

This is so true

[@Johnbobon]

As a drummer, I agree with the argument about disconnecting. I don't really care if a drummer's math works out if it sounds like random noise beyond occasionally landing on the one.

[@juliabeveridge9058]

this is really well put!

[@arinzei.7496]

This is so, so, so true. I'm glad others feel the same.

[@poerava]

Some real musicians here. Those textures and crescendos. Tension. Subtle. You can feel Nate gently holding the momentum of the piece like a conductor. Wow.

[@andreffotografia]

The musicians are amazing but the sound engineer behind the recording is insanely talented. Well done!

[@l3oOst1]

To my ears it sounds even better than the studio version

[@muitan2936]

yeah, they really managed to isolate every component of the drums didn´t they. Amazing stereo usage

[@anyajohannadeniro8528]

I wish I could buy this tbh

[@peghead38]

Every tiny desk concert sounds perfect.

[@yarpyarp85]

Shout out to Mr. Hugh Jasol. Always consistent with the mix.

[@becketcerny3225]

2:05 actually a shaker has never sounded so good

[@DesignRhythm]

1st time hearing Nate Smith! Incredible control & performance...all the musicians were fantastic. "Rambo: The Vigilante" = pure sickness.

[@nico.m8346]

If this doesn't inspire kids to become drummers, I don't know what will. Great band!

[@Amberlynnslivertit]

I'm 34 and its inspired me

[@TheMacasso]

Thanls Nate for Number 11 --- STICK PEOPLE... and for this..... AND the FEARLESS FLYERS

[@rebeccaschmidt6791]

DAMN NPR, I haven't even finished recovering from the performance by the Roots and Bilal and ya hit me with this man and all this fire.

[@SirDarthSnouzer]

That Roots and Bilal one was straight fire. If you another couple fun ones to watch, perhaps try Paramore and Tedeschi Trucks Band. Great musicians doing what they do best.

[@sullivan2339]

WORD

[@emilyg8284]

Tedeschi Trucks Band was the first Tiny Desk I ever watched! I was hooked, INSTANTLY. Both to them, and the Desk! Tank and the Bangas, man. Ugly cried at work watching their win video!

[@diversekcox]

Yo the mixing engineer is really good!! Nate is smacking the drums and the EQ'ing is on point!! Keep up the great work NPR Music!

[@EricG-bv2ui]

I agree their mixing/sound engineer at NPR is something else. Everything comes out perfectly balanced.

[@kieranhumphreys9331]

I am completely obsessed with Nate Smith's drumming!

[@nathanlowe6947]

Hot stuff. Love the sax/electric guitar unison. Different and smooth.

[@prakharbhardwaj303]

Nathan Lowe do check out Ben wendel’s season series where he collabs with Julian Lage and so many other great artists 🤩

[@matteoriad3214]

even better in 17/8 !

[@jkfruit2439]

I swear the saxophone player has slipped into a worm hole and is playing backwards on the last song. Such a talent !

[@jaydestone54]

JK FRUIT if you like that, you should check out Colin Stetson, he has mastered the ability to play by both exhaling and inhaling. It creates a non-stop sax sound, talk about slipping into wormholes, he's insane.

[@dhoward5587]

JK FRUIT shit is crazy!

[@jaleelshaw]

Thank you!

[@rrayjay5171]

Jaleel and Jeremy were locked, totally in sync! Thank you @NPR Music! Nate is truly a legend!

[@katharinawaldl6360]

..so much rhytm, gentle great text lines...relaxed musicians....wonderuful....

[@hansoloist9756]

Wow...I came here for Nate Smith, didn’t know John Cowherd was on keyboards. What a treat. The man’s a genius.

[@saxman865]

My just turn 5 yr old daughter caught a drum vibe off this in the car and told me, "Daddy, that's a drum solo." Cue her first talk about groove and pocket. Proud music dad moment.

[@welikerosafloyd]

This is like a lesson of how all those instruments should be approached! Everyone did what they had to do (imho) perfectly! Such incredible musicians really are an inspiration

[@valeriekennedy2757]

The vocalist, Amina, is spectacular, what a lovely, lilting voice. I love this whole vibe that Nate Smith and his incredible musicians have perfected.

[@rhythmista7707]

Superb tune, and playing by all musicians. And of course, Nate is the new funk machine..

[@BobbyVanStone]

His brush work in that second song is absolutely amazing... never thought I'd want to practice with brushes until I saw this, especially that one handed cymbal swell at 4:51, unbelievable

[@NotRightMusic]

Damn! That's Nate Smith!!!

[@chaseadams347]

Crazy! right??

[@ronaldzijffers6531]

you bet!

[@DavidHimmelPerforms]

*THE LEGENDARY Nate Smith

[@andsuaz]

0:19 that ride cymbal is pure gold

[@scottbyler2649]

Lord help me Jesus! I‘ve waisted it, so help me Jesus, I know what I am… and it’s not anywhere close to this good. Amazing music. Thanks God for creating these people.

[@NotYourTypicalNegro]

Nate Smith. One of the finest musicians living today. I remember seeing him here in Atlanta years ago when he was with Dave Holland. Fima Ephron is a bass god. Remember when he was with Lost Tribe. I saw Cowherd on keys with Brian Blade in L.A. This is an all-star band.

[@joebrowser775]

the mix of the electric gtr and sax is just so sweet!

[@oneeyeddonkey9921]

Thank you NPR for featuring the best of best...Please get Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles !

[@micah275987]

TRUE TRUE TRUE!!!!!!!

[@IsaacSung]

that would be incredible

[@the_jawker]

YES GO GET EM ON HERE!!!

[@aramovski]

watch dis now!

[@pepas346]

they wouldnt fit in there

[@zerorootx]

No idea how I got here. But I really like this stuff, it's so out there. It's like everyone is playing different songs but they go together.

[@garytucker3563]

Pages....I literally say an opening for a film in that. So beautiful❤❤!

[@DannySullivanMusic]

That second song is straight out of the dream dimension

[@coreywilson9468]

talent variety has always been on point...BUT whoever the sound engineer is...is the real MVP!!!!!! Sheesh! Amazing!

[@arthurhudson257]

Nate is so talented and yet doesn't make it about him in the slightest. He's obviously such a humble and respectful guy, with a really talented band.

[@gio1509]

I feel like chuck mangione With the wave thats was so good Thx. Guys

[@richardnienaber2147]

1:44 When the drummer looks over after your epic little bass run you know it was legit

[@tsopuaifa]

I just loved it when he played the saxophone backwards. Never heard that before live. Soooo cool!

[@GeometryDashDyno]

Saw Nate with Chris Potter and James Francies at blues alley last month, and it quite literally changed my life. Amazing musician.

[@wadedavidson8628]

explicit calmness of the sax calms the tone and the beat captures

[@JuanCarlitoMendoza]

This was such a great showcase!!! So smooth, musical and at the same time aggressive! Nate is definitely one of the best drummers out there and an inspiration! Bravo Nate and the crew!

[@jangobango2847]

Real recognizes real!

[@siddharthapaul364]

You are an inspiration too !! I can never get tired of your Guitar center Drum off ! :)

[@ulfmarkus]

Ååååååååå

[@Sax4Him]

I've never heard "live backwards" sax before, that was brilliant. 👍 Great band, great compositions.

[@jasonmarsh3076]

Who ever put a thumbs down should be ashamed of themselves honestly im a metal head and this band is exquisite on detail so deep in tge groove i salute you all NATE you are a bad man 🕺🕺🕺

[@GrantEmerson-nu9gn]

so good! Just saw Nate last night in Nashville. BEAUTIFUL

[@joemurray2523]

Just refreshed my feed after looking at the roots one, and this popped up - damn that's tight 😁

[@theoldestmanintheworld6991]

Amazing! Those drums were beyond tight. Loved the whole thing throughout

[@socdemigod]

The instrumental songs on here are probably my favorite ever performed on Tiny Desk.

[@MrJonojono34]

well im going to have to listen to this a few times, so much going on. You just get slapped around by odd time signatures in the most amazing way.

[@nodemachine]

this is beautiful music

[@chesternevil7066]

I love how amazingly they mix these performances. Absolutely great.

[@rodrigomunozmarmolejo9337]

Mr. Shaw if you happen to read this: your sound is marvelous and your body attitude embodies to me what it means to be a musician

[@FenderBass4ever]

Nate is my hero!

[@thedude6734]

Nate Smith is a living legend on the drums! I am truly grateful that we still see dummers like him today where more and more music is made on computers. Feel free to comment if you want to discuss drumming - that'd be fun!

[@BiSONmusicofficial]

The Dude Mark Guiliana is another god on the drums. If you haven’t heard of him i’d highly recommend you check him out. They’ve both played with Now VS Now

[@kaanyuceland3804]

Both great drummers. Also Makaya McCraven is another beast drummer from the same generation. If you don't know him you guys should check him out as well.

[@stephenstrussvideo]

Brian Blade and Nate Smith's drumming have always been close in my mind. Nate the groove player and Brian goes a little more left field, but I think they're both incredibly musical and share a similar approach in soloing. I guess general personality too. Nate and Brian are both top 10 for me, easy.

[@nickanderson966]

I feel like the mainstream adaption of techno music has made it much harder for drummers to make a living

[@5amJones69]

I make electronic music but I'm a drummer first and foremost. Even have a pretty sweet recidency where me and my band are free to improvise and do whatever the fuck we want. I'm soon to get some recording facilities so that I can bridge the gap between my electronic production and my acoustic improvs. Can't fucking wait. There's some seriously amazingly talented electronic producers out there that can blow your mind just as much as someone like Nate Smith. Check out Culprate's album Deliverance. Super diverse. Amazing.

[@Elixear]

Special mention for the sound engineers at NPR. As always, everything is perfect, from captation to mixing. :)

[@davidlevi8736]

No disrespect for other Tiny Desk performers but this is the first performance I watched whole.

[@ImJustStandingHere]

Nate Smith is one of the absolute best in the game, a MASTER of timing

[@johnnybluezz]

Awesome performance. Please, we need Flying Lotus next time!!

[@desperanto.]

amazing groove in 17/8 time signature.

[@dustincampbell7939]

ND is that for the last song? I've been trying to figure it out!

[@desperanto.]

Dustin Campbell the first song. It's 7+7+3

[@dustincampbell7939]

ND gotcha, do you know what the last song is in? I can't seem to figure it out.

[@filipegouveia283]

The theme phrase of the first song is one 8/8 bar plus a 9/8 bar and repeats... Second song is a 9/8 time signature... Third song 4/4 time signature on the intro and 5/4 time signature on the rest of the song... The last song is a 3/4 time signature on the A part and a 4/4 time signature on the B part...

[@jakezonis17]

Love the sound of doubles guitar and saxophone on the head

[@Ponti-li6xg]

This man is amazing. This music is beautiful

[@jamillawebb3567]

Retold is one of my fav songs on his new album! ❤ nate is a master musician for sure! Please do a live show in New Orleans so I can see you & get my cd autographed! Lol

[@BrianAndersonPhotography]

Wow. Dang....

[@willemmeerloo5017]

amazing band! and a special "standing ovation" for the the sax player… from 6:50 to 7:20… so soft and cool and sad and… love that moment. thnx!!!!!!!!

[@Justus8]

What a coincidence, I have watched multiple Tiny Desk's before, but a few minutes into this one I first thought about the desk size and how it is not that small. Then Nate mentions it!!

[@paperducksnz]

That was unreal! Looking forward to more like this. Cory Henry would be my next choice!

[@MaxwellVideos]

that drummer is insane. Edit: I now know that's nate smith and how foolish this comment was

[@loroc223]

Maxwell yeah that's Nate Smith bro!

[@ShaunStruwig]

Nate Smith is theeee God of pocket! All praise be!

[@AndyShepard]

Everybody loves Nate Smith!

[@WoWisMagic]

*Funky Fresh*

[@WoWisMagic]

Drummers never cease to amaze me. (Probably because I could never do what they do)

[@twobirdsstonedatonce]

any drummer would tell you of course you could. All it takes is dedication and practice

[@saffronw.e3177]

sounds like you should play drums

[@turban196]

believe achieve succeed

[@IsaacSung]

Well, that's Nate Smith you're looking at. He's amazing even to good drummers.

[@zislec]

This guy is an outstanding drummer... I mean outstanding!!! 👏😌

[@samiserrag]

This is fantastic! Thank you !

[@fernandoramalho4448]

BEAUTIFUL!!! 🙌🏼♥️

[@peanutbutterjellyfish2665]

The drummer salts his food funky style.

[@snarplaya]

Amazing performance! Great quality too! Only thing I noticed was the condenser microphone next to the ride and trash crash was going in and out of phase with the higher frequencies of the trash crash. Only when it was played heavily. Cymbals can be tricky, but overall sounds fantastic! Thanks!

[@Retrofuturismo]

I noticed the same.

[@kennethbryantii8053]

2023 just entered the chat, and this concert is STILL killing! 🔥🔥🔥 going to see Nate this weekend with McBride on bass! Shoud be a complete explosion! 🔥🔥🔥

[@josephpailo556]

Amazing set

[@jalenwoods4407]

Isaiah Sharkey Next Please

[@SpomenkoJabucar]

"You're a wizard, Harry" *"Amma Whatt?"*

[@jasonliu7967]

Can't stopping watch and listen to this tiny concert.

[@TimSuliman]

Nate is one of the most brilliant drummers and it's nice to see him leading such a wonderful project. Thanks for making this happen!

[@movingnaturefilms]

Fuck me. That was amazing and difficult.

[@EricG-bv2ui]

15:09 witchcraft on tiny desk? Someone please give me a musical explanation as to what Jaleel Shaw is doing to that saxophone.

[@gaspardguillaumie8586]

I have no idea man! 😅

[@acidfacejake3739]

It’s time inversion.

[@padmaranidasi]

This is just gorgeous!

[@zd8719]

wow this is healing music. thank you