Tribute/Benefit to the Great Arthur Blythe at ShapeShifter Lab

As legendary alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe courageously continues his battle against Parkinson Disease, a benefit tribute performance is being held in his honor.

Organized by Blythe's longtime friends and producers, Oliver Lake and T. Brooks Shepard, this special event will feature a virtual who's who of talents impacted by Blythe. "Arthur is such a loved, respected and innovative spirit," says Shepard, "that the response from the music community has been overwhelming and quite touching."

To date, participants include fellow saxophonist Oliver Lake, poets Amiri and Amina Baraka, longtime band mate Bob Stewart on tuba, guitarists Vernon Reid and Kelvyn Bell, trombonist Craig Harris and Michelle Rosewoman and Rodney Kendricks on piano. Other performers include Santi Debriano, William Parker, Dominic Duval, Reggie Nicholson, Gerry Gibbs, Darius Jones, Bruce Williams, Dominic Duval Jr., Gene Lake and Charles Compo....

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As legendary alto saxophonist Arthur Blythe courageously continues his battle against Parkinson Disease, a benefit tribute performance is being held in his honor.

Organized by Blythe's longtime friends and producers, Oliver Lake and T. Brooks Shepard, this special event will feature a virtual who's who of talents impacted by Blythe. "Arthur is such a loved, respected and innovative spirit," says Shepard, "that the response from the music community has been overwhelming and quite touching."

To date, participants include fellow saxophonist Oliver Lake, poets Amiri and Amina Baraka, longtime band mate Bob Stewart on tuba, guitarists Vernon Reid and Kelvyn Bell, trombonist Craig Harris and Michelle Rosewoman and Rodney Kendricks on piano. Other performers include Santi Debriano, William Parker, Dominic Duval, Reggie Nicholson, Gerry Gibbs, Darius Jones, Bruce Williams, Dominic Duval Jr., Gene Lake and Charles Compo.

Arthur Blythe's discography extends to over 50 albums, including ten seminal releases on CBS/Sony Music. His filmography includes, "As Above, As Below," "Sweet Jesus, Preacher Man," "Story Of Our Lives" and the 1998 jazz documentary "Ninth Street," a project in which his masterful performances of Charlie Parker solos surprised no one familiar with his musical genius. "Arthur is the sound man," says Oliver Lake. "Since I first heard Arthur, his sound has been an inspiration... and when he joined World Saxophone Quartet it was another high point for the group."

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