Jazz St. Louis is thrilled to welcome renowned jazz trumpeter, vocalist, songwriter, activist, educator, and producer Keyon Harrold as our Creative Advisor! Harrold will work to enhance the programming of Jazz St. Louis by curating performances that showcase jazz in new and different lights, drawing on influences and collaborations with artists outside the world of jazz from hip-hop to dancers, poets, and visual artists. He will interact with the community through a multitude of public events and participation in Jazz St. Louis’ education programs.
“I am very excited to return to St. Louis because it is my home and I have always been a part of the Jazz St. Louis family. It is exciting to come full circle and I look forward to doing something unique and thoughtful as well as boundary-pushing,” says Harrold. “I plan on bringing a myriad of different voices – unexpected voices – to speak to the consciousness of now and to educate about where we come from musically and culturally.”
Harrold’s three-year appointment will focus on annual performances, culminating with a major commissioned work reflecting on the St. Louis community that will close the 2023-24 season.
The Jazz St. Louis Creative Advisor position is made possible thanks to support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
In new advisory role, Keyon Harrold brings edge and musical connections to Jazz St. Louis – St. Louis Post-Dispatch