Season 2019 (2019)
← Back to season list
Episodes 111
Miguel Zenón feat. Spektral Quartet
The saxophonist is a big thinker whose mesmerizing compositions chronicle the music of his native Puerto Rico with the help of an adventurous jazz quartet.
Read MoreCarolina Eyck and Clarice Jensen
Carolina Eyck, the first artist to bring a theremin to the Tiny Desk, plays the air with the kind of lyrical phrasing and "fingered" articulation that takes a special kind of virtuosity.
Read MoreAaron Lee Tasjan
Aaron Lee Tasjan arrived in an ascot and mustard-colored shirt, sporting red, round sunglasses and mutton chops. It was a fashionable nod to the psych-pop and rock sound he brought to the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreNate Wood - fOUR
The multi-instrumentalist says he only wishes he had more limbs; but Wood still manages to simultaneously play a bass guitar, keys and drums, all while singing into a wearable microphone.
Read MoreStella Donnelly
Watch the Australian singer-songwriter perform three new songs from her upcoming full-length debut, Beware of the Dogs.
Read MoreBlood Orange
This Blood Orange Tiny Desk is a beautifully conceived concert showing off the craft and care that has made Devonté Hynes a groundbreaking producer and songwriter.
Read MoreMountain Man
The voices of Amelia Meath, Molly Erin Sarlé and Alexandra Sauser-Monnig come together behind the Tiny Desk, with songs that conjure a simpler life: dogs, friends, moonlight or skinny dipping.
Read MoreScott Mulvahill
Scott Mulvahill has been trying to win the Tiny Desk Contest for each of its four years. And while he's never won, we all loved him so much we had to invite him to play.
Read MoreThe Pedrito Martinez Group
The Afro-Cuban percussionist mesmerizes with his almost otherworldly talent on congas.
Read MoreNatalie Prass
Decked out in matching, cobalt blue outfits, the singer and her band had a clear vision: If you want to overcome the times, find strength in numbers.
Read MoreKaia Kater
Multi-hyphenate artist Kaia Kater uses the architecture of roots music, which she studied in West Virginia, to establish a simultaneous dialogue with both the present moment and her own past.
Read MoreAlejandro Escovedo
The veteran rocker and a backup band from Italy play songs from their album The Crossing, chronicling an American Dream of rock and roll and Beat poetry.
Read More&More (Chill Moody & Donn T)
Philadelphia Rapper Chill Moody and singer Donn T, along with their crew known as &More, were one of the standout entrants in last year's Tiny Desk Contest. They bring a message of hope and love.
Read MoreAndrea Cruz
The singer from Puerto Rico is part of a movement on the island that emphasizes largely acoustic instruments and a folk-based approach to interpreting life before and after the hurricane of 2017.
Read MoreCourtney Marie Andrews
It was a day when sunlight drenched the office and the songs of heart from Courtney Marie Andrews felt right at home.
Read MoreGeorgia Anne Muldrow
The R&B singer from Los Angeles is all about showing and spreading love.
Read MoreKarine Polwart Trio
Scottish singer, songwriter and essayist Karine Polwart seldom comes stateside, eschewing air travel to reduce her carbon footprint. But on a rare, recent visit, she stopped in D.C. for a Tiny Desk.
Read MoreGary Clark Jr.
These three songs, from Clark's incendiary new album This Land, roar with the assurance and force of a showman at the top of his game.
Read MoreThe Calidore String Quartet
The Calidore String Quartet confirms that the centuries-old formula — two violins, a viola and a cello — is still very much alive and evolving.
Read MoreBetter Oblivion Community Center
Tiny Desk alums Conor Oberst and Phoebe Bridgers surprised us all with their stunning collaboration this year as Better Oblivion Community Center. Together they radiate joy at the desk.
Read MoreToro Y Moi
Toro y Moi loses the voice processing, synths and other heavy effects for a stripped-down acoustic set at the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreMagos Herrera and Brooklyn Rider
Watch what happens when the smoky-voiced jazz singer from Mexico conspires with an adventuresome string quartet for songs steeped in Latin American traditions.
Read MoreEnsemble Signal Plays Jonny Greenwood
Watch members of the New York-based group give the world premiere video performances of two recent pieces by Radiohead guitarist and composer Jonny Greenwood.
Read MoreJeremy Dutcher
There is no one making music like this 27-year-old, classically trained opera tenor and pianist. Watch and see why.
Read MoreLucky Daye
Hailing from New Orleans with a love of sticky, bass-bumping funk, Lucky brought along a 10-person band, including a quartet of horns, to capture the full flavor of his debut album Painted.
Read MoreQuinn Christopherson
Quinn and his musical partner, guitarist and singer Nick Carpenter, arrived from the cool of Anchorage to the swelter of D.C. and performed with remarkable confidence and grace.
Read MoreSesame Street
Big Bird, Bert and Ernie, Elmo, Grover, Rosita, Count von Count, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster and other surprise guests gather at NPR's headquarters to celebrate 50 years of love, learning and joy.
Read MoreImogen Heap
Imogen Heap takes us through her many musical talents, from her Frou Frou musical partner, Guy Sigsworth — and their first new song in 17 years — to an extraordinary performance with musical gloves.
Read MoreTasha Cobbs Leonard
Tasha Cobbs Leonard is widely regarded as one of the best gospel singers performing today. Her set at the Tiny Desk moved many at the NPR offices to tears.
Read MoreBe More Chill
On Broadway, Be More Chill is a playful burst of frenetic energy and silly, stealthy sweetness. At the Tiny Desk, it holds onto that rowdy, generous spirit while stripping down the arrangements.
Read MoreSaint Sister
The group from Ireland makes music that mixes the organic with the electronic, starting with a large, 34-string lever harp.
Read MoreMiya Folick
Miya Folick was raised a Buddhist in Santa Ana, Calif., and is of Ukrainian and Japanese descent. She sings of conviction, not fiction.
Read MoreAmerican Football
Who would've thought that American Football's fruitful reunion would not only include some of the emo band's best songs, but also a children's choir at the Tiny Desk?
Read MoreSting And Shaggy
The two musical legends brought plenty of joy to the Tiny Desk, with an unexpected collaboration that works surprisingly well.
Read MoreJacob Collier
As the NPR staff gathered to watch his performance, Jacob Collier sprinted full bore down the hallway for his set, hardly able to contain his creative energy or enthusiasm.
Read MoreCalexico And Iron & Wine
The two bands just released Years to Burn, their first album together since 2005. Now, they've performed three songs — two new, one old — for Calexico's Tiny Desk debut.
Read MoreDavid Crosby & The Lighthouse Band
David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Michelle Willis and Michael League are The Lighthouse Band, and together they harmonized the heck out of the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreAmong Authors
Among Authors' music isn't casual; there are songs within these songs, and they're not always catchy. They'll take you on a journey worth following.
Read Morehalf•alive
How does half•alive, known for funky earworms and synchronized dancing, translate to such a cozy space? Have the dancers sit.
Read MoreKian Soltani
Watch a young cellist on the rise, offering music of virtuosity, sweet lyricism and a little fire from his Persian roots.
Read MoreTobe Nwigwe
The Houston-based rapper's mindful words are like a life hack for anyone seeking guidance, with pleas to look past inherent hardships and evil and to stay focused on life's ultimate prizes.
Read MoreNicole Bus
Nicole Bus' sound is reminiscent of vintage R&B, yet still feels current and capable of transcending age and demographics.
Read MoreMandolin Orange
Andrew Marlin and Emily Frantz made everything seem so easy, with just a few acoustic instruments and a single microphone behind the Tiny Desk, performing songs full of joy and thoughtfulness.
Read MoreDan Tepfer
The pianist and programmer has transformed the acoustic piano into his duet partner.
Read MoreThe Tallest Man On Earth (2019)
The Tallest Man On Earth's second appearance at the Tiny Desk comes almost 10 years to the day after his first. He returns with a touch of grey and a beard, but no less intense or moving.
Read MoreDamian 'Jr. Gong' Marley
With eyes shut, Marley dug deep into the healing power of music with songs from his 2017 album Stony Hill.
Read MoreCome From Away
Sixteen performers from the Broadway cast crammed behind the Tiny Desk to sing songs and share stories about thousands of airline passengers who were stranded in Newfoundland after 9/11.
Read MoreRhiannon Giddens
Giddens shares songs from her latest album, There is No Other, in an emotional and transfixing performance at the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreNilüfer Yanya
There's a hush to the music of Nilüfer Yanya that made the Tiny Desk the perfect stage for her sound.
Read MoreY La Bamba
Y La Bamba returns for its second Tiny Desk performance with a revised musical vision.
Read MoreRosanne Cash
Roseanne Cash has been making great records for forty years, but she's never played or written better music than she's doing right now.
Read MoreAri Lennox
The R&B singer performed songs from her debut full-length, Shea Butter Baby.
Read MoreJosh Ritter With Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell
In his second visit to the Tiny Desk, Josh Ritter had America on his mind. "We all have to fight against this notion that we're not all human beings."
Read MoreJonas Brothers
The brothers and their backing band gave a playful performance of three tracks from their latest album, Happiness Begins.
Read MoreMolly Sarlé
After performing at the Tiny Desk as one third of the group Mountain Man, Molly Sarlé returns for a soul-stirring solo performance.
Read MoreSharon Van Etten
Nearly a decade after her first appearance at the Tiny Desk, Sharon Van Etten returns with a full band and a bigger, bolder sound.
Read MoreCharly Bliss
The vibrancy of the band can feel childlike and candy-coated. But the group's songs are more about the pain of entering adulthood and leaving some of that sweetness behind.
Read MoreBrittany Howard
The Alabama Shakes singer and guitarist brought an eight-piece backing band to the Tiny Desk for a set of deeply personal and affecting songs.
Read MoreTaylor Swift
As she settled in for this stripped-down set, Taylor Swift looked out over the office. "I just decided to take this as an opportunity to show you guys how the songs sounded when I first wrote them."
Read MoreSummer Walker
One week after releasing a record-shattering studio debut, the Atlanta native brings a glowing R&B set to the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreJovino Santos Neto Trio
Along with his trio, the pianist, multi-instrumentalist and composer cast a spell over the NPR Music offices in this joyful turn behind the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreBJ The Chicago Kid
The 34-year old R&B mainstay used his moment at the desk to fit in as many of his most cherished songs as possible — Nine songs in 17 minutes to be exact.
Read MoreLeslie Odom Jr.
The Tony- and Grammy-winning singer, actor, author and Hamilton star performs three songs from Mr, his genre-bending new solo album.
Read MoreSnarky Puppy
The jazz, funk and gospel improv group brought jams and joy to the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreIgor Levit
The insightful pianist offers a Beethoven bonanza, ranging from the mesmerizing pulse of the popular "Moonlight" Sonata to flashes of wry humor and tender beauty.
Read MoreCarly Rae Jepsen
The singer brought a sparkling pop-disco vibe and a lot of swagger to the sun-filled Tiny Desk.
Read MoreBlack Uhuru
The influential reggae group, whose name means "black freedom," brought songs of solidarity and love to the Tiny Desk.
Read MoreFreddie Gibbs And Madlib
The enigmatic and reclusive producer Madlib joins hard-hitting emcee Freddie Gibbs for one of the most memorable Tiny Desks of the year.
Read MoreWeyes Blood
Watch the band perform a blissed-out, gently sweeping set featuring three songs from its latest album, Titanic Rising.
Read MoreThe Comet Is Coming
The Comet is Coming is a force of nature. The British trio makes the kind of instrumental jazz that takes music lovers out of their comfort zone and into a musical realm they may never have explored.
Read MoreSpanglish Fly
Spanglish Fly is one of the pioneers of the boogaloo revival scene happening on the East Coast. For about sixteen minutes, they turned the NPR Music offices into the hottest Latin dance club in D.C.
Read More