Watch Lenny Kravitz & Trombone Shorty Travel ‘Road To Freedom’ On ‘Kimmel’

Lenny Kravitz celebrated his Golden Globe nomination by serving as the musical guest on last night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. Kravitz fronted a 21-piece ensemble that included Trombone Shorty on a performance of his powerful song “Road To Freedom.”

Lenny Kravitz wrote “Road To Freedom” for inclusion in the 2023 Netflix biopic Rustin. The film tells the story of and the song was inspired by the life of Bayard Rustin, the Civil Rights activist who organized the March on Washington in 1963. “Road To Freedom” earned Kravitz a Golden Globe nomination in the Best Original Song category. The 81st annual Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast on CBS live from Los Angeles on January 7, 2024.

“Thank you so much to Golden Globes for this honor. This remarkable film recognizes Bayard Rustin, the man behind the march, who was one of the greatest activists and organizers,” wrote Kravitz on Instagram about his first-ever Golden Globe nomination. “Rustin wasn’t recognized at the time for his major contributions as he was a black gay man. The movement he championed then is just as important today and I wrote ‘Road to Freedom’ with this in mind. We still have so much ground to cover and work to be done. I hope people continue to be inspired by this film and song to come together in peace.”

Trombone Shorty assembled a choir of trombones for the recording of “Road To Freedom.” The New Orleans-based musician recruited Dumpstaphunk‘s Alex Wasily and two other trombone players to join him on Kimmel. Shorty and the trombone choir start the song before a breakdown leaves just Kravitz’s soulful voice and an accompanying piano. “Road To Freedom” picks up to a mighty crescendo at which point a vocal choir enters the mix.

See Kravitz’s “Road To Freedom” performance from Monday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjJcrSvlPpY