Keyon Harrold

Classic Jazz, Contemporary Jazz
Saturday, September 27Sat, September 27
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm

Keyon Harrold first came into the International spotlight for his work as the trumpet voice behind the GRAMMY winning Don Cheadle film Miles Ahead, and his critically acclaimed album, The Mugician, (Sony Legacy / Mass Appeal). As a bandleader, he has created a compelling new statement with a riveting mix of jazz, Afrobeat, soul, spoken word, hip-hop, blues, rock, and even American folk. As a soloist, his distinctly warm trumpet sound simmers in the middle register; creating drama without aggrandizing, and mesmerizing live audiences with an emotionally charged concert presentation. Wynton Marsalis has stated “Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet.”

In 2024, his recording Foreverland was released on the Concord label and included a bevy of collaborators: British R&B vocalist Laura Mvula sings on the title track “Foreverland.” Emerging young singer Malaya is featured on “Don’t Lie.” Common and Robert Glasper contribute to the song “Find Your Peace,” and GRAMMY winning musician, producer, and singer-songwriter PJ Morton lends a wistful vocal to the nostalgic single “Beautiful Day.”

In addition to being one of the leading voices in jazz music, Keyon Harrold has collaborated with many of the top hip hop and pop artists including: Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Eminem, Maxwell, and Anthony Hamilton, and rock legends Keith Richards and Jeff Beck. These experiences broadened his musical horizons beyond jazz to include funk, Afrobeat, R&B, rock and roll, and hip hop.

He is currently touring a quintet that is making one of the strongest artistic statements of any musical group today, rooted in jazz music, the band freestyles and solos with authority and weaves the spectrum of African American music into a sonic expression that can best be described as Bop Pop Hip-Hop Jazz.

In addition to performing with his Quintet, he has appeared as a featured soloist with Big Bands and Orchestras. Additionally, a special program “Jazz And The Birth of Hip Hop” with special guests MC Black Milk, Chris Dave, & Georgia Anne Muldrow is also available.