Music Will — Largest Non-Profit Music Program In U.S. Public Schools — Announces Benefit For May 7 At The Marriott Marquis In Times Square

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Last year, Music Will's 2025 Gala raised nearly one million dollars, honoring Wyclef Jean, Sara Bareilles, Jackson Browne, and Kristin Chenoweth. Past honorees have included Josh Groban, Andra Day, Rhiannon Giddens, Babyface, Tom Morello, Idina Menzel, Bonnie Raitt, Smokey Robinson, Elvis Costello, Warren Haynes, Usher, Steven Van Zandt, Mavis Staples, Joan Jett, Trombone Shorty, Wiz Khalifa, and Clarence Clemmons, among others. Renowned performers and presenters have included Lady Gaga, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper, Darlene Love, Carlos Santana, Yo-Yo Ma, Brian Wilson, Jack Black, Graham Nash, Steve Miller, Todd Rundgren, Alice Merton, Darryl McDaniels (Run-D.M.C.), Harry Connick, Jr., and more.

Set in the iconic Broadway Ballroom, the event will feature star-studded performances, a high energy student showcase and moving tributes to our honorees, complemented by a curated online silent auction offering exclusive and one-of-a-kind items. The benefit will provide essential funding for Music Will's ongoing mission to provide teacher training, a diverse curriculum, and free musical instruments to students-connecting them with the music that ignites their interest. Nearly two million kids across the U.S. have experienced the transformative power of Music Will's programs. With a presence in 6,000 schools across the nation and over 100,000 instruments donated to date, the organization continues to make an incredible impact, ensuring that music education reaches the students who need it most.

The event is produced by EMMY-winning Executive Producer Michael B. Matuza and Hillary Capps. Tickets are available atwww.musicwill.org/benefit. Bids for the benefit's silent auction items-including one-of-a-kind donations from music icons-can be submitted on the Music Will website.

ABOUT T BONE BURNETT

With more than five decades of experience in music and entertainment, T Bone Burnett has built an unparalleled reputation as an innovative artist, songwriter, producer, performer, film and concert producer, record company owner, and tireless advocate for artists' rights. Over the course of his career, he has received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and 13 Grammy Awards, underscoring the breadth and impact of his work across music and film.

Burnett has collaborated with an extraordinary range of musicians spanning generations and genres, including Bob Dylan, Elton John, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, B.B. King, Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Taylor Swift, Steve Earle, and Leon Russell. His distinctive creative voice and curatorial vision have also shaped some of the most celebrated music in modern cinema. His film work includes landmark collaborations with the Coen Brothers on The Big Lebowski, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and Inside Llewyn Davis, as well as acclaimed projects such as Cold Mountain, The Hunger Games, Walk the Line, and Crazy Heart.

In 2024, Burnett released The Other Side, his first solo album in nearly 20 years. The record was met with widespread critical acclaim and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album, further affirming his enduring relevance and creative vitality. Across a career defined by restless curiosity and artistic integrity, Burnett continues to shape the sound and direction of contemporary music and storytelling.

ABOUT BRUCE ESKOWITZ

As COO at Red Light Management, Bruce Eskowitz manages and shepherds a diverse roster of legends and modern disruptors alike, including multi-GRAMMY® Award and Academy® Award winners Lionel Richie, Miguel, & The Smashing Pumpkins. Emphasizing a detail-oriented and hands-on approach, he has carefully guided clients to unparalleled heights since joining the company in 2009. As a trusted advisor and respected industry leader, he draws on diverse experience across entertainment, music, concert promotion, sports, marketing, and advertising.

The Houston native planted the foundation for his eventual career at University of Texas at Austin where he produced concerts in college. After working in advertising, he joined Texas-based independent concert promoter PACE Concerts as President. Following SFX's acquisition of Pace, he spent two years as Executive Vice President of SFX before becoming head of one of the divisions of Clear Channel Entertainment. Relocating to Los Angeles, he was on the ground floor at the launch of Live Nation in the role of President and later as the C.E.O. of North American Music. With thousands of employees, he actively oversaw the acquisition of the House of Blues, running 150+ venues, touring for A-list artists, merchandising, and orchestrating multimillion dollar sponsorships.

Following three years at Live Nation, he joined Red Light Management as COO. As a C-suite executive for the multi-faceted privately owned artist management company, he remains integral to Red Light's continued evolution and expansion. Notably, he was executive producer of the documentary The Greatest Night in Pop, which was nominated for 3 Emmys, a Grammy, and was the most watched music documentary of 2024, with over 1.3 billion minutes on Netflix. He is also a producer of KPOPPED, an 8-episode series on Apple TV along with Megan Thee Stallion and Lionel Richie.

He is based in Red Light's Los Angeles headquarters.

ABOUT MAREN MORRIS

Maren Morris has broken boundaries, smashed records, and affirmed herself as a dynamic vocalist, prolific songwriter, and showstopping performer on her own terms. Among numerous accolades, she has garnered a GRAMMY® Award, five ACM Awards, five CMA Awards, and three Billboard Music Awards, while earning dozens of multiplatinum and gold certifications worldwide and tallying billions of streams. Her catalog includes several acclaimed projects, including HERO [2016], GIRL [2019], Humble Quest [2022] and The Tree EP [2023]. Speaking to her versatility, she's also the rare force of nature equally suited to collaborating with Zedd on the 6x-platinum "The Middle" and duetting with everyone from Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, and Sheryl Crow to Teddy Swims, Hozier, and Jessie Murph. Not to mention, she has sold out tours on multiple continents, gracing hallowed stages in the process. Maren entered her bold new era in 2024 with the release of her August EP, Intermission, which she described as her "heart journey and gamut of emotions packaged into 5 songs", covering loss, catharsis, sexuality and gratitude. After completing her RSVP Redux tour and several festivals to finish the year, Maren returned in 2025 to release her fourth album, D R E A M S I C L E, on May 9. Introduced by first singles "carry me through" and "bed no breakfast", the album represents Maren staying true to the core of who she is, and the acceptance, release, and the reclamation of her strength and her light. She says "D R EA M S I C L E is about appreciating and respecting the beauty and nuances of life while it's happening, not after it's too late."

ABOUT MASTER P

Percy Miller "Coach P" aka Master P is an entrepreneurial businessman, philanthropist, music mogul, producer, entertainer, speaker and author. He is the founder of No Limit Records selling over 100 million units worldwide independently. Percy Miller is a serial entrepreneur and believes ownership is the key to success. He created numerous products and brands such as Miller Family Foods; Uncle P rice, pancake mix and syrup; Icon Noodles and potato chips; Moneyatti clothing and shoes; luxury suitcases and bags; toys, television shows and movies. He has successfully produced films, "I Got The Hook Up", kids movie "Uncle P", just to name a few. Percy Miller created the animated characters "Captain Ace" and "The K9 Team" including book series, fun-learning videos and school touring. In addition, he has played for two NBA teams: Charlotte Hornets and Toronto Raptors. He encourages others to own and have control over their careers and, ultimately, their livelihoods. His most important endeavor is philanthropy; he founded the You Are Not Alone Foundation and the Team Hope Foundation, servicing at-risk youth and senior citizens in communities across the US.

ABOUT MUSIC WILL

Music Will is the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the United States. Since 2002, they have provided teacher training, curriculum, and instruments to over 6,000 schools across all 50 states, impacting over 1.8 million students to date. Their mission is to transform lives by transforming music education, while making it equitable and accessible to all students. Music Will's inclusive modern band curriculum is as diverse as the students they serve, spanning a wide range of genres including rock, hip-hop, pop, R&B, Latin, country, and more.

The program's inception dates back to 1996 when Dave Wish, a first-grade teacher in East Palo Alto, CA, began giving free guitar lessons to his students in response to the lack of a formal music education program at his school. What started in one elementary school in a single city has spawned a national movement, expanding to more than 1,000 school districts nationwide. Through partnerships with teachers, districts, departments of education, and industry leaders, the organization is expanding opportunities for students to engage in music programs that reflect their diversity and interests. Their collaboration with over 100 colleges and universities also ensures future teachers are prepared to foster student-led, culturally responsive learning from day one. Learn more atmusicwill.org.