91Èȱ¬

The latest edition of 91Èȱ¬ Radio 4's In Touch features blind American jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, who talks to Peter White about his music and the impact being blind has had on his career.

As a child Marcus was encouraged to play the piano by his parents, particularly his mother, who was also very musical. Marcus says one of the things that attracted him to the instrument was the fact that it didn't move and he could feel its size.

Wynton Marsalis, the legendary jazz trumpeter and composer, took Marcus under his wing and gave him his first big break by inviting him to play in his band. Marsalis described Marcus as a genius musician and Marcus says his own style and writing is influenced by his mentor.

Marcus talks, too, about the frustrations of being blind and how he wishes he could conduct an orchestra. But it's not all talk, as along with his other band members he demonstrates some of the tricks and techniques they use when playing together - to know both when to end, and when to begin.

Also on iPlayer

Head Case (91Èȱ¬ Two)
The reality of living with depression, anorexia, anxiety, bipolar disorder and addiction is revealed through the eyes of young people who have first-hand experience of these illnesses. (Available until 4.59am on Friday 8 June)

The Radio 2 Arts Show with Claudia Winkleman (91Èȱ¬ Radio 2)
In one item on the show, journalist Kate Spicer and her film director brother Will discuss their new documentary film, Mission to Lars, which follows their older brother Tom Spicer, a forty year-old man with fragile X syndrome, similar to autism, on his quest to meet his lifelong hero, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. (Available until 12.03am on Saturday 9 June)

The Comedy Café (91Èȱ¬ Radio Scotland)
Bob Dickson meets voiceless comedian Lee Ridley, whose act makes fun of his own disability. Bob asks him about the boundaries between funny and offensive comedy, and explores whether it's only okay to make fun of disability if you are disabled yourself. Janice Forsyth explores ideas surrounding disability and comedy further in a panel discussion. (Available until 12.47am on Saturday 9 June)

Midweek (91Èȱ¬ Radio 4)
One of the guests on this edition is Robin Millar, a record producer and musician who has worked with famous names such as Sting, Sade, Eric Clapton, Chrissie Hynde and Elvis Costello. He was born with retinitis pigmentosa and has been registered blind since the age of 16. In March this year Robin underwent a 12 hour operation to install a bionic retina in his right eye in a clinical trial to help research into future treatment for blindness.

See Hear (91Èȱ¬ Two)
An international flavour for See Hear, as the programme follows a 24-year-old deaf volunteer on her journey of a lifetime to Sri Lanka, and meets an Australian best-selling author who is about to publish her latest book, about a deaf teenager, here in the UK.

Money Box (91Èȱ¬ Radio 4)
Part of the show features Graeme Trudgill of the British Insurance Brokers' Association discussing how common it is for travel insurers to exclude cover of mental illness.

Something Special (CBeebies)
Educational series for four- to seven-year-old children with learning difficulties.