Keyon Harrold is a trumpeter, singer, composer and producer. His first professional gig was the Tiny Desk Concert at the White House - he became trumpeter of the band of Common, on the recommendation of his classmate Robert Glasper. He soon made a name for himself as the musician who recorded all the trumpets for "Miles Ahead," a biopic of Miles Davis that also focused on his playing and compositions. The recording for the film won a GRAMMY Award.
Harrold soon became a fixture in New York jazz clubs, while also touring and recording with stars such as Gregory Porter, Keith Richards, Snoop Dogg, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Jeff Beck, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, D'Angelo, Marcus Strickland, John Legend, David Sanborn, and Anthony Hamilton. Although he released his first solo album in 2009, it wasn't until 2017's "The Mugician" that he defined himself.
As a bandleader, he has crafted a compelling statement with an engaging blend of jazz, afrobeat, soul, and hip-hop, and has also been heavily inspired by blues, rock, and funk. As a soloist, his distinctively warm trumpet sound creates drama without agitation, mesmerizing audiences with his emotionally charged playing.
Wynton Marsalis declared of his playing, "Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet." He comes to our festival with his current album "Foreverland", which has been described by jazz critics as the very definition of the "post-bop" genre. Keyon is also the first trumpet player from the major leagues after Louis Armstrong who also sings fantastically as he masters his instrument.