Stanley Clarke: Tiny Desk Concert

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This Black Music Month, Tiny Desk honors the anniversaries of landmark albums that have shaped the course of music and culture. Mitra I. Arthur | June 17, 2025 Once the Tiny Desk logo fades away, one of the things you'll notice is a wall of amps. Robust sound has always been a hallmark of bassist Stanley Clarke's musicality; he reminded our audio team not only to pay attention to what the soundboard says but also if it sounds good. Clarke's storied career has been awash with showcases in his virtuosity on the acoustic and electric basses. He's worked with fellow music titans like Chick Corea, George Duke, Jean-Luc Ponty and Al Di Meola, and has scored for film and television. From 1974-1976, Clarke dropped a series of solo albums ("Stanley Clarke," "Journey to Love" and "School Days") that would herald his status as a force in music and foreshadow his 2022 designation as an NEA Jazz Master. Indicative of his passion for spotlighting young musicians, Clarke's latest ensemble, 4EVER (a callback to his band Return to Forever), features saxophonist Emilio Modeste, guitarist Colin Cook, drummer Jeremiah Collier, violinist Evan Garr and keyboardist Cameron Graves. Opening the set is "Song to John" from 1975's "Journey to Love," with Graves and Cook proving they're more than up to the task laid before them. "Yesterday Princess," from Clarke's 1974 self-titled album, gives violinist Garr the chance to shine as his fingers dance over the fingerboard. The performance moves into the

Published 2025-06-17 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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