JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — You’ve probably seen a man standing outside of almost every sporting event in Jacksonville playing the saxophone.
He draws crowds of people from all over the city before and after games and other events.
It’s a story of sharing and not wanting anything in return
Benjamin Purdy says classic music has always been a part of his life.
He says it touches his heart and makes him feel alive.
“For loneliness, boredom, loss, I can turn to that saxophone and I can find a nice song to play. To me it’s therapy,” he explained.
Benjamin says he never made it professionally because of his personal struggles.
He says there is a lesson behind these notes, and that saxophone, that’s fitting for the holiday season.
“When I was at a homeless shelter, I had it underneath my bed; when I was homeless, I had it on the back of my bicycle. That was my bread and butter; that was my life,” Benjamin said.
With his saxophone strapped around his neck, he says, the sound of a tune often triggers a memory.
But it’s a smooth rendition of children’s hit “Baby Shark” that has him getting all of the attention.
Benjamin says he taught himself how to play the saxophone.
One of his first performances was outside of the ALLTEL stadium more than 20 years ago. It is now called TIAA Bank Field.
“I’ve seen people that wasn’t feeling all that food and after listening to me they felt better,” Benjamin said.
And now, stadium visitors don’t just now how talented he is, they know his name.
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