Ray Charles by Melissa Pate Stacy Johnson Vicki

Ray Charles by: Melissa Pate Stacy Johnson Vicki Steele

Family Background Born Ray Charles Robinson September 23, 1930, in Albany, GA t Firstborn of Aretha and Baily Robinson t Born into a very poor family t Moved to Greenville, FL t. Death of Brother t

n Musical Influences During Childhood Wylie Pittman n Artie Shaw n n The Grand Old Opry Music of his community § Owned the Red Wing Café § A great clarinet player § http: //swingera. net/plimage 07. html § § § Church gospel Country and Western Blues § Muddy Waters § Blind Boy Fuller Artie Shaw Blind Boy Fuller – http: //ubl. artistdirect. com/music/artist/card/0%2 C%2 C 433330%2 C 00. html § Tampa Red

Education n St. Augustine’s School for the Blind § Began attending at age 7 § Learned the correlation between mathematics and music. § Learned to read Braille § Learned to compose and arrange music § Left the school at age 15 after his mother’s death

First Jobs Musicians he played with – Henry Washington – Joe Anderson – The Florida Playboys § Learned to yodel n Played dance halls n Thompson sisters n

The Turning Point n The move to Seattle – Recognized at talent show by Elks Club n Elks Club – Made the Mc. Son Trio § Gossady Mc. Gee, Milt Jarret – 1 st black group with T. V. show in Pacific Northwest n Rocking Chair – Left Elk’s Club and played at this club – Recognized by Jack Lauderdale of Swing Time Records

Musical Influences Charles Brown incredible piano skills laid-back voice Nat King Cole Guitar Slim pop singer blues guitar player throaty singer Art Tatum pianist jazz musician Louis Jordan saxophonist

Early Recording Career n Recorded with Swingtime – Recorded in L. A. 1 st radio hit § § § n Baby, Let me hold your hand I Love You, I Love You Confession Blues Recorded with Atlantic – Stopped imitating Nat King Cole § I Got a Woman – Transforms the Cookies into the Raelettes § Margie Hendrix, Ethel (Darlene) Mc. Crae and Pat Lyles n Signed with ABC in 1959 n http: //music. barnesandnoble. com/search/product. asp? userid=Xz 67 zd 9 Ac. A& EAN=76119115423&ITM=7

GRAMMYS • Twelve throughout career • Ranging from the year 1960 -1993 http: //music. barnesandnoble. com/search/product. asp? userid=Xz 67 zd 9 Ac. A&EAN=76119115423&ITM =7 • Most were for Best Rhythm and Blues Performance

Three Number One Hits n Georgia On My Mind http: //music. barnesandnoble. com/search/product. asp? userid=Xz 67 z d 9 Ac. A&EAN=76119115423&ITM=7 n Hit the Road Jack n I Can’t Stop Loving You n

Influenced Many Great Artists n Marvin Gaye n Aretha Franklin n James Brown n Stevie Wonder n Norah Jones

Resources http: //www. raycharles. com/autobio. htm http: //www. rhino. com/features/liners/75644 lin. html http: //www. mmguide. musicmatch. com/artist. nhttp: //music. barnesandnoble. com/search/product. asp? userid =Xz 67 zd 9 Ac. A&EAN=76119115423&ITM=7 nhttp: //news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/entertainment/3797311. stm

Our Questions 1. Who taught Ray Charles to play the piano? 2. What was the name of the trio that Ray Charles belonged to in 3. Seattle? 4. 3. What year did Ray Charles win the most grammys?