Continuing the legacy of benevolence that began ten years ago when
the late music industry legend Henry Stone discovered blind saxophonist Jeff
Zavac and featured him on “Instrumental Magic,” generating over one million
dollars in contributions to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind - the
organization that came to the aid of the renowned record pioneer when he lost
his vision in his later years - Henry Stone Music released the second
collection on Friday. “Instrumental Magic 2,” showcasing Zavac with the Lemon
City Rhythm Section and produced by Stone’s son, Joe Stone, and guitarist Aaron
Fishbein, spotlights the saxman rendering soul-jazz interpretations of ten hits
written or made classic by sightless artists including Stevie Wonder, Ronnie
Milsap, Jose Feliciano and Ray Charles, the last of whom was first recorded by
Henry Stone in the 1950s.
The
five-piece Lemon City Rhythm Section – Zavac (sax, flute, woodwinds), Fishbein
(guitar), Jerald Dorsett (keyboards), Shaka Pace (bass) and King David Hill
(drums) – will perform music from “Instrumental Magic 2” at jazz hotspot Ball
& Chain in the Little Havana section of Miami on Monday, June 27 at 6:30pm.
Tickets are free while donations to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind will be
accepted at the venue and online at
https://secure.miamilighthouse.org/Donations.asp.
Henry Stone,
who forged an enduring legacy in R&B, dance and rap music prior to his 2014
passing at the age of 93, launched the “Instrumental Magic” series with the
goal of creating modern American music with a classic American feel. Joe Stone
was inspired to continue his father’s mission of positivity by promoting music
recorded by live players while raising awareness and funds for the association
that taught his father how to live without sight.
“Henry lost
his sight in the last decade of his journey here on earth and Miami Lighthouse
was a huge part of his ability to move forward,” said Stone, general manager of
Henry Stone Music. “It is an honor and a joy to work with this group of very
talented musicians on an important production that carries on the Henry Stone
legacy. Musically, ‘Instrumental Magic 2’ creates a sonic palette filled with
funk, soul, salsa, rock, R&B and jazz covering American standards loved the
world over."
The first
“Instrumental Magic” disc, one of the last albums produced by Henry Stone,
paired Zavac with 1970s soul queen Gwen McCrae. The record remains one of the
Henry Stone Music label’s most popular releases having received millions of
plays on Spotify alone.
After losing
his eyesight during cataract surgery while in his 80s, Stone turned to Miami
Lighthouse for the Blind where he learned to adapt. In an effort to “repay” the
organization that helped him, Stone facilitated a million dollar donation that
funded the creation of a recording studio for the blind now named in his honor.
His act of leadership and philanthropy garnered the inaugural Man of Vision
Award in 2008 from Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, which provides vision rehabilitation
and eye health services that promote independence, educates professionals and
conducts research in related fields. For additional information, please visit
www.MiamiLighthouse.org.
“Instrumental
Magic 2” contains the following songs:
“Hey Baby”
“I Got A
Woman”
“Night Time
Is The Right Time”
“I Just
Called To Say I Love You”
“Guantanamera”
“Isn’t She
Lovely”
“I Wish”
“There’s No
Gettin’ Over Me”
“Feliz
Navidad”
“America The
Beautiful”
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