Keyon Harrold facts for kids

Keyon Harrold is an amazing American musician. He plays the trumpet, sings, writes songs, and produces music. He was born on November 18, 1980.

Keyon Harrold's Early Life

Growing Up in a Musical Family

Keyon Harrold grew up in Ferguson, Missouri, USA. He came from a very musical family with 16 children! His grandfather started a special music group called The Memorial Lancers Drum and Bugle Corps. Keyon later studied music at the School of Jazz at The New School.

Who Inspired Keyon?

Keyon was inspired by many great artists. Some of his biggest influences include Miles Davis's famous jazz group, the legendary musician Prince, and hip-hop artists like Common, Dr. Dre, and J Dilla.

Keyon Harrold's Music Career

Starting Out as a Trumpeter

Keyon Harrold's first professional job was playing the trumpet for the rapper Common. His friend and classmate, Robert Glasper, helped him get the audition. Keyon even performed with Common at The White House in 2016 for a special concert.

Keyon also learned a lot from another great trumpeter, Charles Tolliver. He played in Tolliver's big band on albums like With Love (released in 2006) and Emperor March: Live at the Blue Note (released in 2009).

Playing with Famous Artists

Keyon became known for his ability to play different kinds of music. He often performed in New York jazz clubs. He also played on recordings for many famous musicians. These include JAY-Z, Beyoncé, 50 Cent, Anthony Hamilton, Gregory Porter, Mac Miller, Mary J. Blige, and Maxwell.

He has also toured around the world with big shows like Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson tour. He has performed with Rihanna, Eminem, Gregory Porter, D’Angelo, Maxwell, and Mary J. Blige.

Music for Movies

Keyon played all the trumpet parts in the movie Miles Ahead. This movie is about the famous jazz musician Miles Davis. Keyon's playing matched the actors' performances perfectly. The soundtrack for this movie even won a Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media!

Keyon's Own Albums

Keyon released his first solo album, Introducing Keyon Harrold, in 2009. Music critics praised it, saying it showed he had a bright future as a leading jazz trumpeter. His next album, The Mugician, came out in 2017 and also received great reviews. His latest album, Foreverland, was released in 2024.

In August 2020, Keyon helped record an online music project called VOYAGE-19 with singer Bilal. They made this music while many people were staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Money from this project helped musicians who were having a tough time. In September 2022, he played at the Brighton Jazz Festival.

Important Incident

In December 2020, Keyon Harrold and his 14-year-old son, Keyon Harrold Jr., were at a hotel in New York City. A woman wrongly accused his son of taking her cell phone. Even though Keyon and his son said it wasn't true, the woman tackled his son. A video of the event showed the hotel manager seeming to support the woman without checking the facts. Keyon said, "I didn't have the opportunity to be believed, and neither did my son. We were guilty then proven innocent." The woman's phone was later found in a car she had been in. The woman was later arrested and faced consequences for her actions.

Discography

As a Leader

• Introducing Keyon Harrold (Criss Cross, 2009)
• The Mugician (Legacy, 2017)
• Foreverland (Concord Jazz, 2024)

As a Guest Musician

• 50 Cent, "Touch the Sky" (from Curtis Aftermath/Interscope, 2007)
• Beyonce, "Back Up" (from B'Day Columbia, 2006)
• Big K.R.I.T., "Cool 2 Be Southern" (from Live from the Underground Def Jam, 2012)
• Michael Leonhart & JSWISS, "The Chase" (from Bona Fide, 2022)
• Otis Brown III, The Thought of You (Blue Note, 2014)
• Will Calhoun, Celebrating Elvin Jones (Motema, 2016)
• Andrae Crouch, Live in Los Angeles (Riverphio Entertainment, 2013)
• Anthony Hamilton, Back to Love (RCA, 2011)
• Billy Harper, Blueprints of Jazz Vol. 2 (Talking House Records, 2008)
• Maya Hatch, "Spice of Life" (Spice of Life. 2012)
• Derrick Hodge, Live Today (Blue Note, 2013)
• JAY-Z, "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is…)" (from American Gangster Roc-a-Fella, 2007)
• John Legend & Mary J. Blige, "King and Queen" (from Once Again G.O.O.D./Columbia, 2006)
• Maxwell, BLACKsummers'night (Columbia, 2009)
• Maxwell, "Pretty Wings"" (from Pretty Wings - Columbia, 2009)
• Jason McGuiness, "We Could Be/Empyrean Tones", 7" (Analog Burners, 2016)
• Mac Miller, "Stay" (from The Divine Feminine REMember/Warner Bros., 2016)
• Mobb Deep, "Smoke It" (from Blood Money - Interscope, 2006)
• PJ Morton, "Claustrophobic" and 1 more (from Gumbo - Morton, 2017)
• Gregory Porter, "Real Good Hands" (from Be Good Blue Note, 2012)
• Gregory Porter, Take Me to the Alley (Blue Note, 2016)
• David Sanborn, Here & Gone (Decca, 2008)
• Nina Simone, "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" & 2 more (Revive Music, RCA, 2015)
• Lonnie Smith, Evolution (Blue Note, 2016)
• John Stoddart, Faith, Hope Love (Urban Junction East Music, 2010)
• Joss Stone, "I Believe it to my Soul" (from Colour Me Free!) (Virgin, 2009)
• Marcus Strickland, Nihil Novi (Blue Note, Revive Music, 2016)
• Charles Tolliver, With Love (Blue Note/Mosaic, 2006)
• Charles Tolliver, Emperor March: Live at the Blue Note (Blue Note, 2009)
• Samm Henshaw, Untidy Soul (AWAL Recordings, 2022)
• Kendra Foster, Nothing is Impossible (feat. Keyon Harrold) (Ear Kandy/Theorymusik, 2023)