Pianist Robert Glasper recently performed at the Howard Theater in DC with Marsha Ambrosius on vocals! Chris Castillo was there to photograph the show.

The following article is adapted from press materials.

On Nov. 23, Robert Glasper appeared at the Howard Theatre as part of the Howard Anniversary Series: A Celebration of 114 Years, presented in collaboration with The Kennedy Center.

During the show, the powerful voice of Marsha Ambrosius led Robert Glasper’s band in performances of “Butterfly,” “Say Yes,” and other songs.

Stream “Say Yes” by Robert Glasper and Marsha Ambrosius on YouTube:

The setlist also included a standout cover of “Stakes Is High” by De La Soul — a song Robert Glasper recorded with Mos Def.

Robert Glasper is a premiere example of musical aptitude and a proven champion of Black music — boasting nine Grammy nominations and four wins for Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song, Best Traditional R&B Performance, and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, and an Emmy Award for his song for Ava Duvernay’s critically hailed documentary “13th” with Common and Karriem Riggins.

The 46-year old Houston native has a rich history contributing his artistry across both music and film, all the while carrying a consistent cultural message. In 2012, Glasper delivered his album Black Radio that hit the scene as the first album in history to debut in the Top 10 of four different genre charts simultaneously: Hip Hop R&B, Urban Contemporary, Jazz, and Contemporary Jazz. The feat was then repeated by Black Radio 2. The ongoing Black Radio series has since become Glasper’s calling card, upholding a place at the heart of a trailblazing community: from long-time sonic brothers Mos Def and Bilal, to legends including Ledisi, Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, Jill Scott, and Erykah Badu.

Glasper recently released his third project of 2024, the Apple Music exclusive Keys to the City: Volume 1. A monumental testament to the magic of collaboration and improvisation, the album finds Glasper in his element featuring live recordings from his annual residency, providing listeners with a glimpse of the magic that audiences have come to cherish over the last six years. In October, Robert Glasper launched his new Apple Music radio show, “In My Element,” on Apple Music’s global live-streaming radio station, giving fans an opportunity to explore the inner workings of the acclaimed pianist and composer. And in November, he dropped his first-ever holiday album, In December.

Here are some photos of Robert Glasper and Marsha Ambrosius performing at the Howard Theatre in DC on Nov. 23, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Chris Castillo.