Flip to page twelve of Red Bull Music Academy's Daily Note (Issue 5) to find the charming story behind our logo. You can download the edition digitally on the Red Bull website!

Soul great Don Blackman has passed. In addition to releasing his self-titled solo album, the Queens born jazz-funk pianist, singer/songwriter, and producer played with Parliament/Funkadelic, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Roy Ayers.

He also had a hand in the works of many influential pop icons of our age, including Janet Jackson, Sting, 2Pac, and Jay-Z.

Legendary DJ and producer Mark Kamins passed away this weekend. Also credited for discovering Madonna and being a great influence and friend of Giant Step, Mark will be sorely missed.

Above, watch a classic clip of Mark representing for New York clubbing at Danceteria - the clip aired on UK TV almost 30 years ago.

Jazz great Donald Byrd has passed away. Another timeless contributor to music old and new is gone, but his legacy remains. Hear "Think Twice" above and "You and Music" after the jump.

Below, you can also view a clip of an AIDS/HIV documentary called Red Hot and Cool, which includes Donald Byrd performing with Guru's Jazzamatazz. The performance is in fact from a Giant Step produced event at Supper Club in 1994.

Hear "You and Music" after the jump

Having already raised nearly half a million dollars for charity, including the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, Swedish House Mafia has announced a second round to their charity auction efforts.

Tickets to their highly anticipated Black Tie Rave on February 28 at NYC's Hammerstein Ballroom are the subjects of the auction, which begins on February 1 at 10am EST at Ticketmaster. This auction will benefit Save The Children, which is committing itself to join the national dialogue on gun control in the wake of December's tragedy in Newton, Connecticut. More precisely:

Save The Children’s goal is to use their experience in advocacy, their seven decades of serving poor and vulnerable children in the U.S., and their commitment to children’s protection and rights to inform and influence both the dialogue and the policies that will emerge as the nation addresses issues that have a direct impact on the safety, security and well-being of its citizens—especially children.

Bids begin at $100.00 per ticket with a minimum purchase of 2 tickets and maximum of 4 tickets.

Get involved for some great causes and cop some tickets for an amazing event in the same breath! The first auction sold out quickly, so be sure to set your calendars and timers and what not - missing out is no fun.

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