Jordan Ward: Tiny Desk Concert

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Jordan Ward: Tiny Desk Concert with tags npr, npr music, national public radio, live, performance, tiny desk, tiny desk concert, tony desk, tiny concert

Ashley Pointer | October 23, 2023

Jordan Ward showed up to NPR headquarters radiating with a warm energy that felt familiar, like linking up with your favorite cousin at the cookout. After all, the immense amount of creativity and synergy displayed by Ward and his bandmates during this Tiny Desk performance is indicative of pure fellowship.

The St. Louis bred singer-songwriter started his professional career as a backup dancer for stars like Justin Bieber and Becky G. Since carving out his lane in music, Ward has been steadily on the rise and dropped his stellar debut album, FORWARD earlier this year. He's an effervescent presence in R&B and this Tiny Desk concert traverses an array of his most beloved musical moments, directed by producer Lido on vintage synths and backed by PG county's own Alex Vaughn on vocals.

Ward opened his six song set with a dreamy soundscape before diving into his 2021 song "Lil Baby Crush." And when Lido cued the unmistakable synth lines from "WHITE CROCS," they turned up the energy in a Tiny Desk arrangement of the already classic tune. Closing out the show on a sweet note, Ward serenaded the audience with a bossa nova-infused arrangement of "CHERIMOYA," and you can't help but wonder how so much talent can exist in one person.

SET LIST

"Lil Baby Crush"

"MUSTARD"

"FLIGHTS"

"WHITE CROCS"

"FAMJAM4000"

"CHERIMOYA"

MUSICIANS

Jordan Ward: lead vocals

Alex Vaughn: vocals

Lido: synth, music direction

Myles Martin: drums

Jermaine Paul: bass, effects

Caleb Buchanan: guitar, bass

TINY DESK TEAM

Producers: Bobby Carter, Ashley Pointer

Director/Editor: Joshua Bryant

Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin

Creative Director: Bob Boilen

Videographers: Joshua Bryant, Kara Frame, Maia Stern, Elizabeth Gillis

Audio Assistant: Neil Tevault

Photographer: Estefania Mitre

Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Hazel Cills

VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins

Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#jordanward #nprmusic #tinydesk