'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 oversee KCUR’s coverage of race, culture, the arts, food and sports. I work with reporters to make sure our stories reflect the fullest view of the place we call home, so listeners and readers feel primed to explore the places, projects and people who make up a vibrant Kansas City. Email me at luke@kcur.org.

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