Keyon Harrold live in Santa Cruz

Experience Keyon Harrold live on August 24th

Keyon Harrold is a critically acclaimed trumpeter and vocalist whose music blends jazz improvisation with elements of hip-hop, R&B, and soul. His work often explores themes of Black American experience and features a distinctive, emotive vocal style alongside virtuosic trumpet playing. Harrold gained wider recognition for his contributions to the soundtrack of the film *BlacKkKlansman* and for his advocacy following an incident of racial profiling in 2020. He has released several albums as a leader, including *Free Truth* and *Forever Doomed*, showcasing his compositional skills and collaborative spirit.

Kuumbwa Jazz Center, the venue for the August 24th, 2026 performance, is a longstanding non-profit organization dedicated to presenting live jazz and supporting jazz education in Santa Cruz, California. Founded in 1976, Kuumbwa (“a spontaneous happening” in Swahili) initially operated as a collective before establishing a permanent home in 1986. The center has hosted numerous legendary jazz musicians throughout its history, fostering a vibrant local jazz scene. It’s known for its intimate setting allowing for close audience engagement with performers.