Jazz Articles about Ray Charles

Ray Charles 1930-2004: The Movie Ray, Part 4 of 4

by C. Michael Bailey
March 13, 2006

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Ray Bristol Bay Productions / Universal Pictures DVD release: 2005 The film Ray was released in 2004, shortly after the death of its subject, Ray Charles. Directed by Taylor Hackford, the movie was a fifteen-year labor of love that hinged, according to Hackford, on Charles' instincts regarding the actor to play him. Hackford stated in an interview that “[Charles] had the best instincts ...

What I Say

by Jeff Fitzgerald, Genius
May 18, 2005

If they ever make a biopic out of my life, and there's no clear reason why they wouldn't since I am the Dean of American Jazz Humorists® and one of the world's foremost experts on baseball's balk rule, I hope they are able to get Jamie Foxx to reprise his Oscarâ"¢-winning role in the pivotal “Genius writes his Ray Charles piece scene. But if it comes down to it, I'd rather they spend the budget money on the absolutely necessary ...

Ray Charles 1930-2004: Part 3 of 4 (The Soundtracks)

by C. Michael Bailey
February 13, 2005

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Taylor Hackford had the dream job of selecting the songs to be used in his movie, Ray , the biopic of singer Ray Charles. Additionally, in his consideration, he had the original item, Mr. Charles, himself for guidance. A Labor of love, 15 years in the making, the movie had its genesis in director Hackford's approaching Charles in 1988 to propose to him directing a movie about the singer's life. What they ...

So Long, Brother Ray

by Marc Minsker
January 13, 2005

Ray Charles Robinson September 23, 1930 - June 10, 2004

Regardless of where you live in America, the media's coverage of Ronald Reagan's death has overshadowed the passing of Ray Charles. Charles was certainly more accessible and universally loved than Reagan; he was even asked to play at Reagan's second inaugural ball. Even Reagan would have to agree: Brother Ray's mighty soul touched us all.Although he grew up in Florida, he was born in Albany, GA ...

Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company

by Alex K. Fong
October 2, 2004

He was in his sunset.

Yellows, pinks, and oranges combined with the encroaching black of night to form a cool reminder of Ray Charles' smoldering day.

The Genius, as Charles was sometimes known, recorded his last album, Genius Loves Company, before succumbing to acute liver disease. The Concord Records release returns Charles to his musical roots of gospel, soul, blues and jazz while stripping away the calculated modern R&B veneer of his last few records. It's a fine swan song ...

Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company

by Jim Santella
September 10, 2004

This final recording by the late Ray Charles consists of twelve duets with popular singers who we've come to recognize almost as clearly as the master himself. As he and B.B. King sing “Sinner's Prayer," you can feel the house rockin'. Both veteran artists relate a convincing plea for forgiveness over what they may have done in the past. They make the song come alive.

Ray Charles had that ability. No matter who he pairs up with, he's ...

Ray Charles, 1930-2004: Part 2 of 4

by C. Michael Bailey
July 17, 2004

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Ray Charles The Very Best of Ray Charles Rhino Records 2000

Ray Charles (not Georgia) has been on my mind. On the day the great musician passed away, I penned the short tome to his unique contribution to music, Ray Charles, 1930-2004: Part 1 . I added the Part 1 suffix only recently when I decided to write a Part 2. I was going out of ...