Keyon Harrold: The Trumpet Don’s Amazing Journey, Miles Davis, Glasper, GRAMMYs, & The New Jazz Era
Everything You Need to Know
Everywhere I turn, I see Keyon Harrold. He’s widely regarded as one of the greatest trumpeters alive today, pushing the new jazz generation forward with power and soul. His solo album Foreverland was GRAMMY-nominated this year for Best Alternative Jazz Album, and his resume is stacked — Jay-Z, Common, Erykah Badu, Diana Ross, Mac Miller, Robert Glasper, the Count Basie Orchestra, Terrace Martin — and he played all the trumpet parts in the Miles Davis biopic Miles Ahead. Keyon is a dear friend and an incredible human being. He drops so much wisdom in this episode and truly inspired me with his words. I hope you enjoy my conversation with the great Keyon Harrold.
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Summary of the Episode
The latest episode of Go With Elmo delivers one of its most inspiring, deep-diving, and musically rich conversations yet. Host Elmo Lovano sits down with trumpet icon Keyon Harrold for an episode that tracks the incredible evolution of jazz, collaboration, and personal growth at the heart of modern music. Titled “The Trumpet Don’s Amazing Journey: Miles Davis, Glasper, GRAMMYs, & The New Jazz Era”, this is a must-listen episode for music lovers, jazz fans, and anyone interested in the creative process.
Meet the Guest: Keyon Harrold
Keyon Harrold:
Keyon Harrold is not only a Grammy-nominated trumpeter; he’s a visionary who’s played with legends across genres—from Common and Snoop Dogg to Erykah Badu, Diana Ross, Jay-Z, and, most famously, as the trumpet voice for Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis in the acclaimed biopic. Born and raised in St. Louis, Harrold’s journey took him through the worlds of jazz, hip-hop, and beyond, powered by both innate talent and an unshakeable commitment to his craft. Today, he stands as a celebrated solo artist and an essential collaborator in the explosion of contemporary jazz.
The Roots: Jazz Camp, Lifelong Friendships, and the Start of a Movement
One of the most striking revelations in this episode is how the seeds for today’s jazz revolution were sown early. Keyon recalls attending the prestigious Vail Jazz Camp as a teenager—alongside Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin. Back in the pre-YouTube days, these young musicians were handpicked from different cities (St. Louis, Houston, and L.A.) and, after an initial “stare down,” quickly bonded through music. Their first connection was not through words, but by counting off the blues and playing together—a special moment that cemented lifelong friendships and creative partnerships.
Terrace Martin, as Keyon explains, was the first to break into hip-hop, forming bands for Snoop Dogg, often including Keyon and Kamasi Washington. These collaborations became the roots of the genre-blurring, cross-pollinating jazz movement we see today in Los Angeles and beyond.
Learning through Collaboration: Backing Legends, Becoming a Leader
Keyon’s career radiates the idea of collaboration and mentorship. Before playing jazz gigs, he hit the road with Common, playing Roy Hargrove’s trumpet parts and learning what it meant to back an artist at the top level. This training in humility and excellence shaped Keyon’s vision: “You can only lead if you’ve been a follower.” Over the years, he played with other giants like the Count Basie Orchestra, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, and joined the famed Cirque du Soleil Michael Jackson Immortal Tour.
A turning point came after contributing to so many other people’s work: “I have been giving so much, which is nothing wrong with that…but I got to the point after I got off the road with Cirque du Soleil that I was like, you know what? It’s time for me to do me.” This led to his acclaimed solo projects—culminating in his Grammy-nominated album Foreverland.
The Producer’s Mentality: Notes that Matter
Harrold shares a profound perspective on musicianship, reflecting his deep artistry. He considers himself a producer first, not just a horn player. “I’ve played a whole bunch of notes in my life and I’d rather play a lot less. I’d rather play more impactful notes,” he explains, noting how this approach has shaped his playing style to be about presence, intention, and emotion, rather than just technical fireworks. In the studio, he’s always thinking about the song as a whole—what to add, when to hold back, and how to elevate the music for everyone in the room.
Finding Your Peace: Art, Family, and Life’s Challenges
A moving section of the conversation centers on the message behind “Find Your Peace,” the opening track from Foreverland. Co-written with Common, Gene Baylor, and Glasper, the song is about learning to control one’s inner world amidst external chaos. Harrold draws from his upbringing, crediting his parents’ positivity and ministry background for teaching him to “choose the positive side, as much as I possibly can.”
The episode also touches on a deeply personal and public experience—when Keyon and his son were falsely accused in a high-profile incident in New York. He discusses the ordeal with openness, focusing on how he helped his son process the event, stay grounded, and use music as therapy.
Miles Davis, Movie Magic, and the Genius of Collaboration
Keyon shares the surreal experience of working on the Miles Davis biopic. Called in by Robert Glasper, Keyon was tasked with recreating Davis’s trumpet sound across different eras, even matching Don Cheadle’s finger movements on screen to realistic trumpet phrasing. “You kinda can’t mess that up. … It’s Miles Davis.” The gravity and challenge of this project deepened Harrold’s skills and inspired his own artistic journey.
He also emphasizes the importance of “who’s in the room”—the sidemen, the producers, the collaborators—echoing the idea that assembling the right team, like Miles did, is often more important than having a rigid plan.
Expanding Horizons: Antarctica, Exploration, and Inspiration
A standout segment finds Keyon recounting his recent journey to Antarctica with scientists and astronauts, including Neil deGrasse Tyson and Scott Kelly. Reflecting on exploration both in music and life, he returns to the idea that the journey never ends and that being surrounded by driven, visionary people keeps him moving forward and seeking inspiration.
Passing on the Torch: Family, Mentorship, and Building the Future
Throughout the episode, Keyon shares the importance of family and mentorship. His son, now a budding producer and musician at Berkeley, is a testament to the positive environment Keyon strives to create. Whether advising upcoming artists to prioritize their own projects, or reflecting on the joy of community, Harrold’s perspective is deeply rooted in empowering others.
Closing Notes: Legacy, Community, and “Finding Your Peace”
The episode closes with light-hearted and heartfelt moments—Elmo asking Keyon to play trumpet for his agave plant blossoming in its final act, symbolizing themes of impermanence and impact. Whether on stage with legends or inspiring the next generation, Keyon Harrold’s story reminds us that true artistry is about presence, humility, and leaving the world a little better through your unique voice.
Conclusion
Listen to the full episode of Go With Elmo, and do yourself a favor—check out Keyon Harrold’s Foreverland, and let the music guide you to find your own peace.
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