Musicians We Helped

The following stories have been volunteered by musicians we have helped, and we are grateful for their openness. Their stories tell of passionate careers and creative triumphs interrupted by illnesses, accidents, family tragedies, and all too often, genuine poverty. In addition to the profiles below, we have a video series, Musicians Foundation Stories, which can be seen here. Our grantees are devoted artists who create and continue our country’s rich musical culture. Since 1914, we have helped thousands of musicians like those below. If you are interested in making a donation to support more musicians with stories like the ones below, click here.

Brooks Kerr

Keeping Ellington’s Legacy Alive

Denise LaSalle

Queen of the Blues

Andrey Nemzer

Celebrated Countertenor

Jimmy Scott

Legendary Voice

Eduardo Del Signore

Bassist, Producer, Composer

Brett Umlauf

Cutting-edge Soprano

Gerald Goodman

Renowned Harpist

Bruce Langhorne

“Mr. Tambourine Man”

Lou George

Performer, Writer, Producer

Butch Miles

Legendary Jazz Drummer

Kate Light

Violinist, Lyricist, Educator

Johnny Vidacovich

New Orleans-based Drummer

Pablo Casals in support of the Musicians Foundation

World renown cellist Pablo Casals dedicated a record for the benefit of Musicians Foundation, Inc. courtesy of Columbia Records and its artists. Here is a recording of Pablo Casals speaking from the album and expressing his commitment to the Foundation:

“I am grateful for all the years of good health and musical happiness that I enjoyed and am still enjoying. I would like to share this good fortune that God has given me with all my colleagues in paying tribute to a wonderful organization, the Musicians Foundation. This record made with my friends Alexander Schneider and Isaac Stern and all the other musicians who participated in our music making, brings back wonderful memories of the first Festivals in Prades, the beginning of a new and meaningful era for me. I hope that it will bring the same musical happiness to many people who through their generous contribution will help to further the good work of the Musicians Foundation.”

Pablo Casals
October 24, 1971

Below you will find additional testimonial from other musicians whose lives have been changed through the help of our organization:

Freedy W., Vocalist
Michael Bocian, Guitarist
Nomi Epstein, Composer, Performer, Curator, & Educator
Morris Cummings, Musician
John Menegon, Bassist
Anthony Janflone, Guitarist, Musician, & Educator
Corey Averill, Classical Cellist and Educator
Ed Stoute, Jazz Pianist and Composer
Scott Bennett, Pianist, Vocalist, & Educator