December 19th, 2011 – New York, NY – Rising singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Gary Clark Jr. delivered a fiery, mesmerizing performance as part of Music Unites and Rolling Stone magazine’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.
