The Captain, Robert “Dick” Knight

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Instrumentalist, Robert “Dick” Knight, aka, “The Captain,” is known as one of eastern North Carolina’s most historic music innovators. His musical career began when he was 7 years old, when he started playing the trumpet. Now in his 70s, throughout his career of more than six decades, he has played with James Brown, Otis Redding, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Dionne Warwick, Patti Labelle and others.

Knight cemented his legacy in African American music history and wants future generations to continue passing down the torch. In 2017, he received the N.C. Heritage Award for his booming soul and R&B performances. He is also featured on the African-American Music Trial of Eastern North Carolina. Knight continues to play the trumpet, alto saxophone and the flugal horn, and performs his own vocals.

For this performance, he will deliver a musical voyage through time and talk about the meaning behind some of the songs performed throughout his life – familiar tunes such as “Just the Two of Us,” “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” and “I Feel Good.” Don’t expect to stay in your seat! You’ll be invited to stand up, join in and sing along! Come dance the night away with the Captain!