Southern Adventist University is hosting The Marcus Roberts Trio for two performances on Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. in Ackerman Auditorium. Roberts, a blind piano virtuoso, has collaborated with a variety of musical heavyweights, including Wynton Marsalis and Béla Fleck.
Roberts grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., where his mother’s gospel singing and the songs of the local church left a lasting impact on his musical style. He lost his sight at age five, and a few years later began to teach himself to play piano. He had his first formal lessons at 12 years old and ultimately went on to study classical piano at Florida State University. The trio was founded in 1995, and currently features pianist Marcus Roberts, bassist Rodney Jordan, and drummer Jason Marsalis.
“I never plan to stop studying and sharing in the creation of great music,” Roberts says on his website. “When I play, I play for the people. Jazz is not elitist. It was created and grew from the soil of our fertile and, at times, difficult American experience, and it will resonate as long as our democratic structure exists.”
Tickets will be available at the door ($5 per adult or $12 per family). For more information, call (423) 236-2814.
Source: Southern Adventist University