Jill Scott Makes Her NPR Tiny Desk Concert Debut Performing 'To Whom This May Concern'

One of the most requested Tiny Desk appearances in series history, Jill Scott delivered a soulful debut backed by a full band — opening with 'A Long Walk' and honoring the late D'Angelo.

Music

uristocrat

February 17, 2026 1 min read

Jill Scott Makes Her NPR Tiny Desk Concert Debut Performing 'To Whom This May Concern'

Jill Scott has made her NPR Tiny Desk Concert debut. The performance, which aired February 16, marks one of the most requested appearances in the series' history and arrives in celebration of her new album To Whom This May Concern — her first project in over a decade.

The Philadelphia singer, songwriter, and poet opened with "A Long Walk" from her 2000 debut Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1, incorporating a nod to the late D'Angelo. She performed two new tracks from the album — "Beautiful People" and "Don't Play" — before closing with "The Way."

Scott was backed by a full band led by music director Dwayne "DW" Wright on bass, alongside Adam Smith on guitar, Eric Wortham II on keys, David Chiverton on drums, Dom Thomas on percussion, Damon "Mr. Dizzy Fingers" Bennett on flute and bass flute, Theljon Allen on trumpet and flugelhorn, and background vocalists Gene Noble, Bluu Suede, and Deonis "Pumah" Cook.

To Whom This May Concern features collaborations with Ab-Soul, JID, and Tierra Whack. It is Scott's first studio album since Woman in 2015.

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