±«Óãtv

The latest edition of ±«Óãtv Radio 4's In Touch features blind American jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, who talks to Peter White about his music and the impact being blind has had on his career.

As a child Marcus was encouraged to play the piano by his parents, particularly his mother, who was also very musical. Marcus says one of the things that attracted him to the instrument was the fact that it didn't move and he could feel its size.

Wynton Marsalis, the legendary jazz trumpeter and composer, took Marcus under his wing and gave him his first big break by inviting him to play in his band. Marsalis described Marcus as a genius musician and Marcus says his own style and writing is influenced by his mentor.

Marcus talks, too, about the frustrations of being blind and how he wishes he could conduct an orchestra. But it's not all talk, as along with his other band members he demonstrates some of the tricks and techniques they use when playing together - to know both when to end, and when to begin.

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