Kiefer: Tiny Desk Concert
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2025
- Bobby Carter | May 13, 2024
For Tiny Desk concerts without a lead vocalist, I usually try to detect musicians' nonverbal conversations with each other as they perform. For Kiefer’s set, there’s a bonus show within the show. He plays with a sense of joy that I haven’t seen in a while and when his eyes connect with a fellow player, it’s as if he’s thanking them each time. With decades clocked behind the piano and a strong catalog, Kiefer Shackelford is primed for the moment.
The Los Angeles pianist and producer’s early instrumental projects were heavily hip-hop-based, playing the keys over drum loops and samples. His 2021 project, When There’s Love Around, leaped into full-on jazz, but his latest, It’s Ok, B U, finds that sweet middle ground. Between albums, he’s made a name for himself in the independent scene and among the majors, booking work with Drake, Anderson .Paak and SiR. For his Tiny Desk, Kiefer brought two ensembles to highlight the best of his work. The Kiefer Trio, comprised of drummer Luke Titus and bassist Pera Krstajic, played a medley of “Why Not?” and “Cute.” For “Superhero” and “Socially Awkward,” Kiefer then invited Nate Smith, Carrtoons, Theo Croker and guitarist Charlie Hunter who, shockingly, is the only musician in this combo who hasn’t played at the Desk.
SET LIST
“Why Not?”
“Cute”
“Superhero”
“Socially Awkward”
MUSICIANS
Kiefer: Rhodes piano, synth
Luke Titus: drums
Pera Krstajic: bass
Nate Smith: drums
Carrtoons: bass
Charlie Hunter: guitar
Theo Croker: trumpet
TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Bobby Carter
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Technical Director: Kwesi Lee
Host/Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Maia Stern, Christina Shaman
Audio Engineer: Neil Tevault
Production Assistant: Elle Mannion
Photographer: Elizabeth Gillis
Tiny Desk Team: Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
#kiefer #tinydesk #nprmusic
This is the greatest day of my life
Fax ❤
sameee
Glad I could be here for your best day
fr
Brother I feel you
😮💨 Keifer is that hidden gem…those who know…KNOW!
100%
And now I know, thanks to Tiny Desk. 🙂
Last time I listened was years ago, it was a little more poppy/rnb w/ vocals. I love this new direction
Purely I love his sound ❤
Let’s lift this supremely talented pianist up and NOT keep him a secret.
Headphones so badly recommended for this Tiny Desk. That keyboard panned hard R and L into my ears it's just magnificent
Popped this open on the iPad til I read this. AirPods in… YES!
Wasn’t even hearing that fabulous bass.
I nearly lost it when the Rhodes was panning left to right. Sitting here missing my Rhodes (in storage) this made me feel a bit better
underrated comment
That Rhodes 🥞🥞🥞🧈🧈🧈
Like I am going to listen to a tiny desk concert any other way?
Just love witnessing world-class musicians enter that flow state together. Almost like they communicate telepathically via their instruments.
Music is a language 🎉
Yes that how we do
Bro done assembled the avengers
Charlie Hunter is truly an unsung hero. He could have handled both rhytm guitar as well as bass simultaneously. But with Carrtoons poppin' it off Charlie ends up playing this incredibly smooth melodic rhytm guitar. He is never overdoing it during Superhero and Socially Awkward and his performance brings so extremely much to the composition and the vibe. Hats off, my friend!
Agree completely!
Agreed!
Yep. Such a delight to hear
Well said mate. Very tasteful playing.
Charlie Hunter is a treat
thank you NPR kiefer is criminally underrated.
Finally Kiefer in Tiny Desk what a great day
Absolutely fantastic day 🥹💯👏🏾
I saw the Kiefer live band in a small club in Chicago and my mouth was on the floor the whole night
The broken key on the super 6 is a paid actor. Kiefer is one of my all time Favorite artist. He is the Chick Korea of this generation. Unprecedented vibes
Same...actually closed my eye and couldn't really hear anyone other than Chick.
More to bob james than chick IMO.
Dude naturally just brought some of the most incredible jazz musicians rn. Nate Smith, Theo Croker, Charlie Hunter.... Carrtoons ... Absolutely amazing :D
I just saw Kiefer perform in Minneapolis last week with Nate Smith and CARRTOONS!!!!!! Truly a mind blowing performer!
Can’t wait to see them in Oakland
I need to see him. I was immersed.
I saw the Kiefer trio play last October and now I'm seeing CARRTOONS and his band play in September!! So excited
I'd never heard of Kiefer until now. I'm definitely a fan now. Great musicianship!
The joy on everyone’s face says it all.
Pure joy. Amazing recording quality, this made my sound system glow. I wish this tiny desk lasts longer.
My face all the video: ☹️ but in the best way possible. Tiny Desk at his best, thanks!!!
Charlie is the master of groove. I never thought id get to see this group of musicians playing together! What an awesome set!
Love to see Nate Smith. Anytime he's on the kit, it's a good day!
YEAH~
Thank you once again tiny desk, for introducing me to a beautiful artist I wouldn’t have known otherwise. I love what you do❤
Same. The first thing I do in the morning is to search Tiny Desk to hopefully learn of a new artist.
Yoooo your first introduction!? That’s amazing!! 🔥
This is my favorite comment
KIEFDADDYSUPREME!!!
LETS GOOO
I've wanted a performance on here for years. Congrats to Kiefer for pulling through and thank you to NPR for hosting him
Dude's trio is as tight as the super group!! Such a great time in history for phenomenal REAL music!! 🔊🎶
Yes! Came here to say the same thing. 🙌
amazing! I just saw Kiefer with Nate Smith and Carrtoons TONIGHT in Portland, and man... what an absolutely special night of virtuoso music... Incredible.
Was there too man, such a good show
@@anthonyfox477me too. Absolutely sublime.
Kiefer is my favorite (and most listened to) artist of the last 10 years. whenever hes within a hundred miles of my city i go see him - almost went to see him in Berlin in Feb. So happy to see him blowing up of late, he's great and super deserving.
Kiefer finally on NPR and able to share his incredible gift with the world!
True story I ended up falling to sleep late last night with UA-cam and i woke up to this playing. Never heard of these guys and I felt completely different this morning compared to other mornings
I woke up feeling refreshed even though I went to sleep late
I was in a super positive mood
Felt excited for the day
I think I got a new morning routine!
That's the Kiefer effect!
Love me some Nate Smith (drum god for real) but that first trio was BONKERS.
I saw him a few months ago in Copenhagen and his energy on stage was sublime - when some folks were talking he said “hey I’m doing my best here, can you do the same” - class act
Kiefer on fender Rhodes is a good match. Shout out to all the legends on the guest appearance too
Already knew I was gonna like this when I saw his J Dilla Donuts tee before the music started. And I was right. Nice seeing Carrtoons there, too. 👏
they are having the time of their life. i've loved kiefer for yeeaars happy see him here
This trio is just plain sick wit it, if you can't vibe out with Kiefer you not no real Head.
Luke always lays it down on drums 😮💨🔥
you're doing something right when this absolutely ALL-STAR cast shows up at your call. Kiefer has the talent, humility and sheer love for the music. well deserved tiny desk!!
From big bands to small trios, the sound is always sublime.
Been waiting for this one. Luke Titus so fun to watch as a drummer.
0:01 Why Not?
9:42 Superhero (ft. Nate Smith 🥁)
17:16 Socially Awkward (ft. Theo Croker 🎺)
MUSICIANS
Kiefer: Rhodes piano, synth
Luke Titus: drums
Pera Krstajic: bass
Nate Smith: drums
Carrtoons: bass
Charlie Hunter: guitar
Theo Croker: trumpet
Carrtoons pulls up with that filthy smooth bass tone!! 🔥 Kiefer is a keyboard GOAT & this is a great showcase of his music and groove!!
First trio interplay is so dooooope !!
I can't get enough of this Tiny Desk.
Charlie Hunter 👑
Nate Smith 👑
Kiefer 👑
Carrtoons 👑
Ac.m
Ty🎉
bro I thought you were just listing off seperate tiny desk concerts that slap as I was reading this early in the video and then THEY ALL GET UP TOGETHER WHAT?!
I was looking to see Nate smith and i think a lot of people were, but Luke came up and has a brilliant sound as well, bravo.
Brilliant! Yes, Yes, YES!! Focus on Instrumentalists 🔥👌🏿👌🏿
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
This is top tier musician stuff right here
Yo this dropped on my birthday and this is hella tight!
YESSSSS!!!! YESSSSSSS!!!!! AMAZING!!!! WE HAVE BEEN WANTING THIS FOR YEARS AND IT'S HERE! THANK YOU ALL!
I haven't seen anyone talk about the trumpet solo. It was killer
Good lord...nothing but modern all stars on this one.
Lovely performance from these talented musicians, thanks NPR for making this happen !
This was so beautiful!! Jazz is alive and well! Love the “Dilla” shirt💕
My upmost respect for having the trumpet player to play the melody on that song. thank you. -trumpet player
Finally!!!!!!!!! Been waiting for 7 years for this moment!!!!!
Keifer Jamming On The Fender!!! I'm here for it....
Charlie Hunter is the man. Love his groove
Three of the funkiest dudes alive, all at their most reserved, just keeping the groove and letting the keys and trumpet have the spotlight. Unreal humility from Charlie, Nate, and Carrtoons.
I really wish this was a live concert album. I would buy it in a heart beat.
They just put out a live album of this material?
Another gem found thanks to Tiny Desk. What a set! TY!
So glad this channel is turning me on to new artist!
love the guitar licks @15:15 Nice!
What an insane super group of musicians.
10:00 got my head spinning with the stereo sound. What a lovely set!
Whaa...how did I miss this video? Still hoping for the chance to see him live one day.
Charlie Hunter sitting in playing “only” guitar is so strangely cool.
My 1st time experiencing this artist, absolutely AMAZING!!!!
So happy I got to see him live in Malaysia few weeks back. Such an inspiring chill dude!
The dopest of nerds! Fans put your hands in the aaaaaair!!
10:18 I love how he lets the groove breathe before showing us what’s what.
What an awesome way to have spent 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Something about "Socially Awkward"'s composition and the musicality behind the performance almost makes me cry. Gotdamn this is great. Everybody just floatin.
Can't believe I'm late on this one, the algorithm not doing its job. Kiefer's been my most listened to artist for years now, glad to see him getting the opportunities he deserves... especially when he brings this much grooving to the table
I saw him in Denver recently with Nate Smith and CARRTOONS. Fantastic show. Even the opener Galaxe on the vibe/beat machine was good! Well worth the 2 hour drive there!
man... freaking amazing.
I never missed Kiefer whenever he comes touring in Paris. Love this guy !
Everyone sounds incredible!! ☀️
He deserves this. Cute is the song that made me fall in love with his music and I've been listen to him since then.
Agreed!! ✔️
they're having so much fun
Congratulations, Kiefer!!! I'm a huge fan. Fantastic performance, thank you for the beautiful music.
finding this kiefer partnership amazing in 2024 and I'll probably come back here more often in the years to come
Found Kiefer through a track by Sam Gendel (Kiefer No Melody) and was sold with Be Encouraged. Very happy with this tiny desk!
Siiick! Amazing performance... Cheers from Brazil
New fan sound amazing
That first track though .... 🤟♥
Such a cool sound. A lot of eclectic and delightful homage mixed in there, intentionally or otherwise.
Smooth groves sliding through the air way out into the universe
Kiefer is such a vibe
Therapeutic. Thank you very much guys.
Have a great day mate
I saw him with Cartoons and Nate Smith at the Blue Note back in March and met him briefly afterwards. Keifer was so chill and gracious. He genuinely seemed just as happy to be at the show as the crowd was. Glad he's getting his shine
"People Make the World Go Round" refrain at 2:38-2:50? That's what I heard. I love Kiefer's msuic!
I'm really upset. This version of Superhero slapped SO hard. Hurt my neck bopping to it, doc said it will never be the same again physically. But it was worth it.
Yes my boy getting the spotlight!
Nice... he played Super Hero!.. That's been on my playlist for a minute!
Oh man. What's not to love about Kiefer's music? The ease he melds jazz & hip hop? The enjoyment he displays? This isnt even easy work for him, its joy. Tell him I said sorry for taking a week to realise he blessed NPR with his grooves and JDilla Donut jersey.
Superhero had me grinning like an idiot. That was powerful.
Finally!!!! Congrats kiefer!!! You were made for this!!!
Kiefer is so smooth with it throughout. I'm amazed.
Blessings to Kiefer, you music Inspires me everytime I listen. Keep sending that fire, always appreciated.
So happy to see these amazing musicians in one space. Charlie Hunter was quite the surprise!
Kiefer is a one of a kind musician, unafraid to openly interact and communicate with his audience and orbiting musicians in such a humble and inspiring way. One of my forever musicians without a doubt
he had such a great presence on stage when I saw him live
San Diego all day everydayyyy,… yesss sirrrr
Fuuuuuuuuuhk, how could I miss this for 4 days!
This show was fyah,music for the soul
What a treat, Kiefer is the man! Let’s get Jonwayne on!
I love this, about time we saw the legend here!!