This year, NPR Music is celebrating Black Music Month with a series of all-new Tiny Desk concerts — at home and behind our beloved desk. Together, these artists represent the past, present and future of black music. This month of carefully curated performances is a celebration of Black artists expressing themselves in ways we’ve never seen before, and the Tiny Desk’s unique way of showcasing this talent.

A smile, laughter and a candle burning next to a delicate flower arrangement welcome us to the warm studio that is the setting of James Francies’ Tiny Desk (home) concert. The young Houstonian and Blue Note artist begins with the hypnotic grooves of “713” – one of our picks for the best songs of 2021. This tune lets Francies’ virtuoso playing shine through, as he masterfully puts the scales the keys while soloing. After a quick greeting, we are swept away by the luscious string ensemble which introduces “Rose Water”. Performed by vocalist Elliott Skinner, we are transported by Skinner’s voice as he sings beautifully of hope, support and growth: “Wishing you could see the light / That shines daily… All the ordeals inside my mind / Shape me.”

Francies ends his set with “Sway/Freedmen’s Town”. The jazz trio plays as a recording of the voice of Francies’ father, James Francies Sr., tells the story of Freedmen’s Town, a historic Houston neighborhood now known as the Fourth Ward. It’s a fitting end to a Tiny Desk (home) concert celebrating Black Music Month, a poignant and powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and what we’re still struggling with.

LIST OF SETTINGS

• “713”
• “Rose water”
• “Sway / City of the Freedmen”

THE MUSICIANS

• James Francies: piano
• Jeremy Dutton: drums
• Or Bareket: bass
• Elliott Skinner: vocals
• Francesca Dardani: violin
• Adriana Molello: violin
• Tia Allen: viola
• Marta Bagratuni: cello

CREDITS

• Video by: Andy Schwartz, Andy Poland, Tripp Kramer
• Audio by: Gosha Usov, Jason Rostkowski

SMALL OFFICE TEAM

• Producer: Abby O’Neill
• Video Producer: Joshua Bryant
• Audio mastering: Josh Rogosin
• Host: Kaz Fantone
• Small production team: Bob Boilen, Bobby Carter, Kara Frame, Michael Zamora, Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer
• Vice President, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
• Senior Vice President, Programming: Anya Grundmann