'The Greatest American Musician' You've Never Heard Of, And Missouri Legislature's Current Session

By Steve Kraske,

Published January 16, 2018 at 4:56 PM CST

Pianist Marcus Roberts lost his sight at the age of 5, and subsequently taught himself to play piano.

When jazz legend Branford Marsalis calls you "the greatest American musician that no one's ever heard of," you're doing something right (even if your P.R. may need a little work). Today, we meet that musician, Marcus Roberts, and learn about his remarkable life. Then, we consult two statehouse reporters for an idea of what to expect from the latest Missouri legislative session, the first week of which was overshadowed by revelations of an extramarital affair Gov. Eric Greitens had in 2015.

The Marcus Roberts Trio will perform at The Folly Theater at 7 p.m. on Friday, January 19. For ticketing information, visit FollyTheater.org.

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Steve Kraske

When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.

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Luke X. Martin

As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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