For Tiny Desk concerts without a lead vocalist, I usually try to detect musicians' nonverbal conversations with each other as they perform. For '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 , and . For his Tiny Desk, Kiefer brought two ensembles to highlight the best of his work. The Kiefer Trio, comprised of drummer and bassist Pera Krstajic, played a medley of "Why Not?" and "Cute." For "Superhero" and "Socially Awkward," Kiefer then invited , , 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
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