Rising
singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Gary Clark Jr. delivered
a fiery, mesmerizing performance as part of Music Unites and Rolling
Stonemagazine's "In Tune" series on Wednesday night. The event,
which was held at New York City's Openhouse Gallery, served as the kick-off for
Music Unites' launch of its first milestone achievement toward accomplishing
its "Five Borough Initiative" to fund five Music Unites Youth Choir
programs across NYC's five boroughs. Music Unites is a NYC-based organization
dedicated to funding music education in underserved schools.
In January 2012, Music Unites will launch its inaugural
youth choir at The Women's Academy of Excellence in the Bronx. At the "In
Tune" event, Rolling Stone magazine announced a donation
to Music Unites made in Clark's honor to fund the youth choir as well as a
guitar program - the first-ever music programs in the Women's Academy's
history.
"Since our introduction to Music Unites in 2010, the
organization has worked diligently to provide the scholars of the Women's
Academy of Excellence with a music program," said Priscilla Guzman, a
counselor at the school. "Our school has never had a credible music
program, even though a music credit is required in order for a scholar to
graduate under New York State guidelines."
Commenting on why Rolling Stone has made
its donation on behalf of Clark, Michelle Edgar, Music Unites' founder and
executive director, said: "Gary is an artist who is a true visionary and
role model who will inspire generations to come. We are honored to work with an
artist such as Gary who believes in the importance of music education and
providing opportunities to students who traditionally wouldn't have access to
music."
Upon releasing his critically acclaimed major-label debut EP The
Bright Lights in August, Clark received a four-star review from Rolling
Stone that raved: "Clark has been a local treasure for
years. Now, with a major-label deal and a kick-ass rhythm section behind him,
he's fixing to blast himself out of the barrooms and onto bigger stages. The
most exciting thing about Clark is that he could steer his career in any
direction - or perhaps every direction. His live gigs prove he's got more great
tunes up his sleeve. Can't wait for the album."
Clark exploded onto the music scene with incredible force
and impact when he delivered an incendiary debut performance of his song "Bright
Lights" at Eric Clapton's 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival in June
2010. Boasting a distinguished sound that fuses deep blues influences with
classic hip-hop and contemporary soul, Clark is a rocking soul man for a new
generation.
About Music Unites:
Music Unites is a NY based non-profit organization dedicated
to bringing music education to underprivileged children in underfunded inner
city school systems. As part of the Music Unites / Rolling Stone In Tune
series, artists like Fiery Furnaces, Taylor Momsen, The Sheepdogs, and Gary
Clark Jr. participate in benefit underground concerts to raise awareness for
the importance of music education. Proceeds go to creating free after-school
programs in inner city schools, such as The Women's Academy of Excellence in
the Bronx.
www.garyclarkjr.com
No comments:
Post a Comment