Timeless hits, from “September” to “Smooth Operator,” rang loud inside the Kore Asian Media studio on May 13.
Performers for an intimate “Tribute To Legends” benefit concert comprised Raffia Ford, a vocalist and Raffia Music Studio founder, as well as C.C. Thomas Jr. (music studio co-director, as well as an Emmy-nominated songwriter and musical director to Diana Ross), Drew Gibson, Lance Lee (a drummer who’s played with names like Mariah Carey and Gladys Knight), Darien Dorsey (a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer) and Bryan Velasco (a keyboardist, songwriter and producer).
They played to support the Lomita-based Community’s Child, which provides services for homeless women and children. Proceeds went toward providing free music lesson vouchers to students in transitional housing, a program started by Raffia’s studio.
According to Raffia, the concert is only the beginning of her music studio’s efforts toward music education for the underprivileged — fundraising for her studio’s lesson voucher program will continue through more events like these, she said.
“We believe that every young person should have access to the benefits of music education,” she said. “It is our goal to provide to as many of them as possible.”
Visit Community’s Child on Facebook and at their website, and check out Raffia Music Studio at raffiamusicstudio.com.
Check out Raffia & the band’s cover of Sade’s “Smooth Operator” below!
