Samora Pinderhughes: 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.
Nikki Birch | April 15, 2022
The opening piano notes are barely sufficient warning to brace for the sweet and powerful voices that transport us to Samora Pinderhughes' Tiny Desk (home) concert, shot on film. "The Cry" heralds our journey into the Bay Area native's sophomore album, GRIEF. The vocalists move briefly out of frame for "Masculinity," a probing, open letter that addresses masculine stereotypes with directness and compassion. The song blooms beautifully, with Pinderhughes accompanied by strings, a background chorus, and his sister, renowned flutist Elena Pinderhughes.
Between tunes, Pinderhughes greets us and shares that the setting for this Tiny Desk (home) concert is his exhibition, "The Healing Project," at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Five years in the making, the project explores trauma and healing from structural violence with conversations, film, music and art created by incarcerated artists, including the artist Pitt Panther. Pinderhughes then plays "Holding Cell," a dedication to those behind the walls. For his next song, Pinderhughes leads us to a blue space, a memorial shrine with candles, offerings and dedications, where we encounter the haunted pleas of "Grief."
Pinderhughes' ability to be vulnerable makes his music incredibly intimate. He reminds us of this quiet strength once again as he introduces the last song in his set, "Process," with some final thoughts: "I think a lot of times we get a message that we should just succeed or triumph over something that's difficult in our life, particularly things like depression or grief or anxiety. But sometimes it's about living alongside those things and just taking it one day at a time."
SET LIST
"The Cry / Masculinity"
"Holding Cell"
"Grief"
"Process"
MUSICIANS
Samora Pinderhughes: vocals, piano, keyboard
Nio Levon: vocals, vocal arrangements
Elliott Skinner: vocals, guitar
Jehbreal Muhammad Jackson: vocals
Dani Murcia: vocals
Elena Pinderhughes: flute
Clara Kim: violin
Giancarlo Latta: violin
Carly Scena: viola
Saul Richmond-Rakerd: cello
CREDITS
Director: Christian Padron
Cinematographer: Jon Harrison
Audio Engineer: Jack DeBoe
Producers: Christian Padron, Samora Pinderhughes, Jesse Sachs, Hana Mogulescu
Creative Direction: Samora Pinderhughes, & Christian Padron
Editor: Christian Padron
1st AC: Linhdan Le
2nd AC: Nam Anh Nguyen
Gaffer: Carlos Gonzalez
PD/Grip: Irene Peng
Shot on Kodak Film
Filmed in "The Healing Project" exhibition at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Visual Pieces in Exhibition by Samora Pinderhughes, Pitt Panther, Emeka Ekwelum, Josh Begley, Christian Padron, Vashni Korin, Daniel Pfeffer, Christopher Burch, Nico Cary, Eli Marienthal, Raquel Pinderhughes, Dwayne Betts and Titus Kaphar.
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bob Boilen
Video Producer: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant
Audio Mastering: Josh Rogosin
Tiny Production Team: Bobby Carter, Michael Zamora, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
Executive Producer: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann
#nprmusic #tinydesk #samorapinderhughes

[@radiobarbes1528]

Surely one of the best young compositor humanist and soul fool of this last 10 years, good job Samora !

[@Lordnels]

I loved him in August Greene. This should be great.

[@onelife1636]

Brilliant. This is a beautiful soul in Samora. Happy to have discovered him here! Just WOW.

[@danadanabrown]

Wow. No words. What an experience to listen to this.

[@elroistudios]

Two words: Elliot SKinner - Sam has an ELITE set of background vocalist on this one

[@pifflepockle]

Who is the girl?? Amazing

[@PentameronSV]

0:00 - *The Cry / Masculinity* (5:38) 6:33 - *Holding Cell* (8:25) 9:11 - *Grief* (12:57) 13:32 - *Process* [19:42 - Tiny Desk team]

[@Saffarts]

I have literally been obsessed with this guy and y'all make a Tiny Desk about him. He is insane

[@danyellconner7298]

4:35-5 gave me chills. The backup singers in particular the woman in the blue was amazing 🤩. The combination between them ,her,the flutist, and Samora and the piano was 🙌🏽.

[@pinkp0ssypurr]

The ability he has with his vocals to reach your soul, cleanse it and put it back. Tears. I feel the tears 😢😢😢

[@johncontractors1385]

This is amazing. I was completely surprised by this one. Geniuses at work. New fan.

[@FREELEOONE]

It’s 2:30am and I am here with a lump in my throat. The strength. The fragility. The pure artistry on display. So many thoughts and emotions. Thank you.

[@BurninBluBabe]

So far, I think this is my favorite performance from him. This is an absolutely beautiful program. Blessed to hear this.

[@Turtleslayr]

I was totally immersed in this experience... you all managed to convey your love and energy through the screen. Thank you. And y'all seem like amazing people

[@gustavorojasayala6874]

Samora Pinderhughes and his constellation of co-authors and co-interpreters inhabit a beautiful form of art and commitment to personal and social healing.

[@TheDirectorb]

Wow. Wow. Samora you are such a light and a gift and an extension from the well of the source. This right here was/is very much light work done well. And man oh man did y’all let y’all lights shine. I am inspired, seen, listened to, listening, shook, thrown off and also balanced from this. My brother Jehbreal! Hey brotha!! You better sing! And love! And live! And be! Wow and the instruments were just like y’all let angels come into your hands and voice boxes, and bodies and spiritual bodies and let them play heavens tunes! Again, wow and BRAVO! 🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 I gotta take sometime with this one. This hit my heart. Inspired so much breath “I guess I’ll just say it’s a process”

[@Scorpionturtle]

Truly a voice for a generation. So glad to see him on the NPR series.

[@natasha007]

Samora’s “The Transformations Suite” was excellent! Samora your work, your art will be a part of my social justice soundtrack for these times. Beautiful delivery. Thank you.

[@mlizp]

Oh this hit it! Thank you Samora, Elena, and the rest of the beautiful musicians and artists on this tiny desk.

[@iekraemer1]

Qué hallazgo, qué música, músicos!!! Saludos desde Argentina!!

[@juliantecuenta7557]

me encanta, es muy buena toda una joya!!

[@nataliepatterson8631]

It's soothing and intriguing at the same time. You have a new fan in me.

[@comfybella3503]

Wonderful is an understatement! Love the concept / musicians / vocalists /compositions! Thank you for making this happen and sharing for the world

[@filipkasprzyk9564]

Samor's music is something else

[@staffanolofsson8201]

Even if I dont understand all words as the Europe I am, I´m still fascined by this project, as it seems. Wonderful music and wonderful musicians.

[@jenmu7870]

What was that?! Extraordinary experience. Wow. Simply wow.

[@anthonywhite2960]

Only problem I have here is I couldn't give it a thousand thumbs up.

[@tomas5376]

Wow, just when I thought I’d seen it all, this one takes the cake! Love the songs, love the vibe, love the incredible set!🎶🎵🎶🎵🎵🎵🎶👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🏼

[@RebelFitz]

Okay he is such a sweetheart and love their sound

[@GavinskisTutorials]

Absolute underrated gem doing his own thing, total respect brother!

[@deetee609]

So beautiful

[@sk8r1968]

wow! brought me to tears. touched my soul very deeply. 🙏🏼❤️

[@mandelbrotm619]

Well this is unexpected, I had Samora's sound on the brain this week and watched the August Green episode a couple times.

[@SactownOwen]

Absolutely brilliant, powerful, moving and beautiful.

[@ashmcdaniel5503]

This is SO very beautiful. The sound is very David Crosby with his Lighthouse band. I wish I still lived in the Bay Area so I could see The Healing Project, as well as Samora perform in person. The world needs healing.

[@thisismynewname]

Amazing

[@orchplayers]

Love these types of musical collaborations - thanks again, Tiny Desk!!

[@jipes]

First numbers and immediate goose bumps temperature drop down and I chilled. Wonderful ensemble !

[@Fwobbed]

Been subscribed to NPR for a long time but realised recently that I hadn't turned the bell on and then this pops up the next day. What a great moment

[@xbalanque2024]

Soulful 🎉. Thank you!

[@bengrg2]

Get these people an award for this one NPR!!!! Incredible.

[@DemocracyofLight]

This guy…🎯😳❤❤❤

[@dahsaw]

Lovely compositions. Great video production. I love how he dedicated his music to those who are struggling, or those who are in pain in some way. Wonderful!

[@SBridgforth]

Piercingly beautiful/so timely and powerful! Exceptional artistry and Spirit! WOW! THANK YOU.

[@owethundwandwe8180]

This performance was a journey for me! Brilliant

[@Yarglish]

Beauty and perfection.

[@busharahanacatherine1278]

a true gift. Thank you Samora

[@araminta5706]

SOOOOOOO beautiful. Thanks for this piece of multidimensional art Samora & Team.

[@DRAKO-DMT]

Was skeptical at first but this has been an awesome experience. Samora Thank you, your songs are heartfelt and relevant. You have a new fan in Me.

[@rogergoodman326]

That 'Grief' song hits hard

[@AlineMayagoitia]

weeping. Thank you my friend.

[@mendesmica]

This is as Good as it Gets!!!😍😍😍

[@robertrainey2258]

Absolutely leaves me wanting more!

[@ambarmovel2313]

So amazing 💛✨

[@oliviaj4986]

so beautiful. shout out to dp jon warfield harrison!!

[@basielu]

YESSSSSSS 4:17 on is otherworldly

[@dancewalkertarot]

Beautiful. Thank you. 🙏❤‍🔥

[@cristinaliu9498]

i‘m just in love with this music!

[@SAYITAINTSOSOOSOO]

BEAUTIFUL

[@josecolon1513]

Love the adding of strings and woodwinds

[@sergioalmeida2544]

Thank you very much

[@daughterofthefree]

Beautiful, beautiful, just beautiful ❤️

[@hello.steve.newcomb]

The rays of light I needed today 🙏🏻

[@enotap48]

I love this so much

[@skaipaints]

Truly beautiful, perfect timing

[@johnsantos6264]

Felicidades Samora. Absolutely beautiful, powerful, moving and inspiring. Thank you. So refreshing to find young folks not chasing the hit machine meat grinder. Your creativity soars ever higher, obviously guided by a sincere heart. May your road continue to be well-lit.

[@tortoiseboxing1792]

Thank you 🙏🏼

[@juliantecuenta7557]

como me relaja escuchar esto por todos los cielos!!

[@christopherhimes8593]

thank you

[@lancedeschenes4046]

Thank you for this music ♥️

[@janeosun]

this is so stunning Samora!! Congrats 🥳

[@katherinegregory9928]

Whoa!

[@bfosterETV]

Can you even imagine a Samora Pinderhughes x Nicolas Jaar collab

[@ArpiaMusic]

Inspirational 🥰😍

[@SonofBaldwin]

My brother! So dope!

[@ZolaMarcelle]

This is gorgeous.

[@OliviaLesueur]

absolutely stunning performance.

[@drocktheallmightyone]

Needed this today

[@graceoline]

that was so good

[@samanthasancho9556]

Amazing.

[@geoffforduk]

Beautiful

[@richbrownbass]

Thank you, Samora. Thank you for your gift. 🙏🏾❤️

[@aroseparade]

1st time listener, these cats rock!! 🤙🏼

[@carlosjosedossantossantos6054]

Músicos maravilhosos Amei!

[@fredericarmoni8555]

intro à la CSN... new fan + 1

[@Leoast14]

So nice to be here early, this guy's gonna be huge

[@shirmora_]

love it samora!

[@lorenaramirez4418]

Always believed in you my brother🙏🫂

[@gabazatiba5951]

This is an experience.

[@robertrainey2258]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@JuroJanik]

Bravo!

[@michaelgreenland1153]

Amazing pen, Samora.

[@ronshina4022]

4:05 flute (The Cry / Masculinity)

[@surfnow.]

magnificent now subbed

[@MyMARI3]

You should invite Mayra Andrade

[@rhysjones8953]

Tops

[@DevDude30]

wow that cellist

[@enotap48]

The back up singers though

[@thenopasslook]

💎💎💎

[@briannabullard4504]

Would love to see Caamp do a tiny desk! One of the best indie folk bands!

[@trulogic]

Samora, I got that baritone to make this a quintet.... lemme join the process

[@tarasvoitenco]

🙌🙌🙌