Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Saxophonist, Sonic Explorer Casey Benjamin Dies at 45
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
Marcus Roberts is among the artists who have recorded videos to promote Mighty Writers, a non-profit organization that teaches reading and writing to low-income and marginalized students.
(Photo: Courtesy Literary Hub)Jazz pianist Marcus Roberts is among the artists who have recorded videos for Mighty SONG Writers, a series that aims to highlight the importance of literacy and raise money for Mighty Writers, a Philadelphia-based non-profit that teaches reading and writing to thousands of low-income and marginalized students.
In the videos, the artists perform songs, answer questions and talk about the importance of reading. In Roberts’ video, he says, “I lost my sight when I was five-and-a-half years old,” and he goes on to explain that his mother made sure that his blindness wouldn’t prevent him from learning to read and write. Roberts performs several songs and shares his reflections on iconic musicians, such as Thelonious Monk and W.C. Handy.
“Thelonius Monk was one of our great, great composers, one of our immortal jazz pianists,” Roberts says in the video. “He is one of the few musicians I’ve ever heard where everything they play makes sense. He never played anything he didn’t want to play, and it’s always related to some melodic conception or melodic theme that you can hear.”
Mighty Writers, in conjunction with media partner Literary Hub, began posting the videos on July 8 with plans to post a new video each week. Other participating artists include Americana stars Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell, vocalist and banjoist Rhiannon Giddens, hip-hop musician Phil Augusta Jackson, Grammy nominee and best-selling author Jewel, acclaimed singer-songwriter Valerie June, Matt Quinn of the indie-folk band Mt. Joy and GLAAD Award-nominated pop songwriter Wrabel.
“There’s never been a more important time for kids to think clearly about the world they’re living in,” Tim Whitaker, executive director of Mighty Writers, said in a press statement. “At Mighty Writers, where we teach writing to over 3,000 kids annually in economically-challenged communities, we believe that writing has magical powers, chief among them the ability to think critically and express oneself with clarity. In light of COVID-19, and unprecedented social unrest, we are doubling our efforts at Mighty Writers to reach kids and provide both guidance and venues that allow them to express what they’re feeling through the written word and are thrilled to have the support of these world-class musicians.”
Founded in 2009, Mighty Writers offers daily afterschool academies, long- and short-term writing classes on nights and weekends, teen scholar programs, mentorships, college preparatory courses and college essay-writing classes. DB
Benjamin possessed a fluid, round sound on the alto saxophone, and he was often most recognizable by the layers of electronic effects that he put onto the instrument.
Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
“He’s constructing intelligent musical sentences that connect seamlessly, which is the most important part of linear playing,” Charles McPherson said of alto saxophonist Sonny Red.
Feb 27, 2024 1:40 PM
“I might not have felt this way 30 to 40 years ago, but I’ve reached a point where I can hear value in what people…
Albert “Tootie” Heath (1935–2024) followed in the tradition of drummer Kenny Clarke, his idol.
Apr 5, 2024 10:28 AM
Albert “Tootie” Heath, a drummer of impeccable taste and time who was the youngest of three jazz-legend brothers…
“Both of us are quite grounded in the craft, the tradition and the harmonic sense,” Rosenwinkel said of his experience playing with Allen. “Yet I felt we shared something mystical as well.”
Mar 12, 2024 11:42 AM
“There are a few musicians you hear where, as somebody once said, the molecules in the room change. Geri was one of…
Henry Threadgill performs with Zooid at Big Ears in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Apr 9, 2024 11:30 AM
Big Ears, the annual four-day music celebration that first took place in 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee, could well be…
