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