Keyon Harrold celebrates Foreverland album release in NYC January 22 – 24, 2024

3 minute read

Keyon Harrold will perform three nights at the Blue Note from January 22 – 24 in New York City.

The performances from the trumpeter/composer will celebrate the release of his third studio album Foreverland, – which features Robert Glasper, Common and more.

Harrold will play two sets each night (8 and 10:30), more info here.

In case you missed it, Keyon was also a clue on Jeopardy last Thursday (Jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold can be heard on “Stay,” by this late rapper / answer: Mac Miller)

Harrold will play with his band along with special guests to deliver unfiltered, uncut performances of all of the songs on the new record, many of which Harrold will play live for the first time.

Harrold has been widely celebrated for his ability to transcend jazz, R&B, hip-hop and pop with his singular sound, positioning him as go-to performer for a who’s-who of stars: Jay-Z, Beyonce, Rihanna, Eminem, Maxwell, Mac Miller, and Snoop Dogg to name a few. He also worked closely with Don Cheadle on Cheadle’s Miles Davis biopic.

Slathered in smooth R&B grooves, Foreverland is proudly emotional and dramatic, a triumphant journey that takes the listener through the good, the bad, the ugly and the experiences that lead to wisdom. Some of the music was inspired by challenges that Keyon faced, including the passing of his mother, and the widely publicized assault on his son in a NYC hotel room at the end of 2020.

Says Harrold:

“What I can offer as a musician who plays an instrument with no words is an honest conveyance of emotion. Some of these notes, I play them because theres not a better word.”

Foreverland is proudly emotional and dramatic, a triumphant journey that takes the listener through the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful experiences that lead to wisdom.

The Foreverland album is a family affair — nearly every musician is a longtime friend, and Harrold accounts the record’s warmness to this dynamic. “It’s like the ingredients of a great meal: you don’t need just any pepper, you need a certain kind. Every musician on this record is a rare and essential element.”

In addition to the aforementioned PJ Morton, the incredible full lineup includes Common, Robert Glasper, Jean Baylor, Mayala, Laura Mvula, Chris Dave and legendary musician Greg Phillinganes, known for his keyboard work on Thriller and many other classic recordings.

The album was recorded with a dream team of Harrold’s longtime friends and collaborators, including Marcus Gilmore on drums, Nir Felder, Randy Runyon and Justus West on guitar, Burniss “Boom” Travis and Brandon Owens on bass, BIGYUKI, Shedrick Mitchell and Jahari Stampley on piano/keyboards, and Jahi Sundance on turntables. In addition to singing on “Find Your Peace,” Harrold also sings or speaks on four other tracks.