There is something special about Louis Cato’s ability to captivate an audience. During this Tiny Desk, he expresses his belief that music is most powerful when experienced in a live setting — it’s there that we build community. With rhythmic strumming and a winning smile, he draws us into his honest, thoughtful and vulnerable storytelling.

Not only does Cato sing and excel at multiple instruments, he holds his own on the other side of the microphone, producing, mixing and, most visibly, serving as bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. If this is your first encounter with Cato, you’ll quickly get a sense of his immense musicality. He’s the type of musician who inspires other musicians and, as such, is very much in demand. Indeed, at the Tiny Desk, it’s a fellowship of good vibes as Cato and his band — bassist Jeremy McDonald, guitarist Randy Runyon and drummer James Williams — guide us through an introspective journey of the love we have for others, ourselves and humanity.

— Nikki Birch | December 20, 2023

SET LIST
“Cutie Baby”
“Reflections”
“Unsightly Room”
“Human”

MUSICIANS
Louis Cato: vocals, guitar
Jeremy McDonald: bass
Randy Runyon: guitar
James Williams: drums

TINY DESK TEAM
Producer: Nikki Birch
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Mitra I. Arthur
Audio Assistant: Hannah Gluvna
Production Assistant: Ashley Pointer
Tiny Desk Team: Suraya Mohamed, Maia Stern, Hazel Cills
Series Creators: Bob Boilen, Stephen Thompson
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#tinydesk #nprmusic #louiscato