Recognizing musicians with cognitive and/or physical disabilities during Disability Pride Month.
See all CDs in this list in our catalog
Diagnosed with ALS, Becker continues to compose music using only his eyes, with the aid of specially developed computer software. Triumphant Hearts features guest appearances by Jake Shimabukuro, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Joe Bonamassa, Marty Friedman, and others.
Who Is the Sky? is a studio album by Autistic musician David Byrne with the New York City-based musical ensemble Ghost Train Orchestra, being their ninth and sixth studio album respectively. As Byrne accumulated a stockpile of rudimentary songs, he envisioned the emotional core of the material being brought out through orchestral arrangements. The album also features guest appearances by St. Vincent, Hayley Williams of Paramore, and Tom Skinner of the Smile.
Blind since childhood, Ray Charles is widely regarded as a founding genius of soul, R&B, and jazz, influencing generations of artists. This 6-disc set contains material previously released between 1960-2006 and disc six contains all previously unreleased tracks.
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident in 1984. He subsequently learned to play drums with a specially designed electronic drum kit. In 1987, the band released their most successful album, Hysteria. It is Def Leppard's best-selling album to date, selling over 20 million copies worldwide, including 12 million in the US alone, and spawned seven hit singles. It remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
Born blind, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is known worldwide for his crossover pop success and the Christmas classic "Feliz Navidad.” Feliciano wrote all the material and played the majority of instruments on the album which features his trademark flamenco flavored, Latin pop.
Grammy-winning American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Melody Gardot sustained a serious head injury at the age of 14 and music played a crucial role in her recovery. The Essential, is a testament to Gardot’s enduring artistry. This collection, curated by Gardot herself, spans 14 years of her career and includes 25 tracks that showcase the breadth of her musical abilities. Featuring selections from her six studio albums, remixes, live recordings, and previously unreleased tracks, the album captures the essence of Gardot’s talent. Highlights include her multilingual performances, emotive renditions of classics like Elton John’s “Love Song,” and live recordings that convey the raw honesty of her concerts. Each track offers a glimpse into the diverse emotional landscapes Gardot can traverse, making The Essential a rich and compelling portrait of an artist whose music speaks for itself.
Hilton's latest album contains a love letter to her ADHD and is a testament to her resiliency (Hilton also experiences PTSD). This celebratory album is Hilton’s second studio album; released through her production company 11:11 Media, in partnership with the ADA. Released 18 years after her debut album, Paris (2006), Infinite Icon is an electro-infused dance-pop record, featuring production by Australian singer and songwriter, Sia.
Daniel Johnston’s legacy is legendary. The quintessential DIY artist started his career in Austin, TX whilst hawking cassettes from his day job at McDonald’s. The rest, as they say, is history, and fans of US alternative music from the 1980s onwards know about his work and the people he went on to inspire. The tracks featured here have been licensed from the BBC and approved by Daniel’s family, management and charity. Though a few bootleg recordings of these sessions have been available across the years, they have now been lovingly mastered and cut by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios in London. Profits from the album go to Daniel’s Hi, How Are You Project, whose goal is to "build community through conversation, connection, and self-care - empowering young people to take care of their mental health and each other."
One of the most celebrated violinists of the 20th and 21st centuries, Itzhak Perlman contracted polio at age four which caused permanent paralysis of his legs. He performs seated using leg braces. On Schumann, Bach, Brahms he is joined by virtuoso pianist, Martha Argerich who proves to be a skilled and sensitive musical partner; a must-hear for fans of either artist.
Portugal. The Man is an American rock band from Wasilla, Alaska and based in Portland, Oregon. Band member Eric Howk had a fall that caused paraplegia, and he has used a wheelchair ever since. Howk won a GRAMMY in 2018, making him the 2nd wheelchair-using musician to receive the award. Lead singer John Gourley commented that Shish is "survival, connection, and ambition. Rural life with moments of danger and absurdity, like dirt bikes, smokers, gunfire, and video games."
In 1928, Belgian-born Romani jazz guitarist and composer, Jean “Django” Reinhardt nearly died in a caravan fire. He suffered extensive burns which affected his ability to walk without a cane and badly injured the ring and little fingers of his left hand. During many months of recuperation, Reinhardt retaught himself to play guitar using primarily the index and middle fingers of his left hand, using the two injured fingers only for chord work. He became one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe and has been hailed as one of its most significant exponents.
Welsh musician Ren Gill channels his agonizing, years-long struggle with chronic illness and misdiagnosis into his album Sick Boi. His lyrics provide an unflinching look at living with Lyme disease, autoimmune crashes, and the isolating mental and physical toll of being disabled.
The soulful and mesmerizing band from the Congo, the four core members had their mobility affected by polio and now use wheelchairs. The band’s mesmerizing rumba-rooted grooves, overlaid with vibrant vocals and extraordinary tin-can guitar solos, have been dazzling audiences and media the world over, on record, on stage, and on the big screen.
Fronted by the wheelchair using MC/beat-maker/activist/educator/trash-talker Kalyn, the band is a combination of live and electronic instruments provided by Joshua Trinidad (trumpet) and Gregg Ziemba (drums) with a more jazzy, noisy, funky sound than the traditional hip-hop group. Their unconventional setup of live instruments and Kalyn’s produced beats presents a polished sound with old-school lyrics that maintain a sarcastic yet independent and heavy consciousness. You won’t find any other hip-hop bands like this in Denver.
Johnny Winter was an American singer, guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. Winter was known for his high-energy blues rock albums, live performances, and slide guitar playing from the late 1960s into the early 2000s. Both he and his younger brother Edgar Winter were born with albinism which also impacted their vision. The Johnny Winter Story is a double CD that collects 33 blues tracks from Winter’s career before signing with Columbia Records in 1969. It includes rare versions of songs when his name and image weren’t yet known to blues enthusiasts. Early riveting takes and some surprises from the Beaumont, Texas-based, GRAMMY Award-winning guitarist and Blues Hall of Fame inductee.
More Johnny Winter streaming on Freegal Music+