How did Ray Charles learn to play?

His musical curiosity was sparked at Wylie Pitman’s Red Wing Cafe, at the age of three, when Pitman played boogie woogie on an old upright piano; Pitman subsequently taught Charles how to play the piano.

How did Ray Charles read music?

He was blind by the age of 7, and his mother sent him to a state-sponsored school, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida — where he learned to read, write and arrange music in Braille. He also learned to play piano, organ, sax, clarinet and trumpet.

How did Ray Charles change music?

Ray Charles helped integrate American music by creating a space for gospel-infused R&B music on pop radio. He was Atlantic Record’s most beloved R&B superstar and would go on to influence legions of musicians and fans throughout the years.

Where did Ray Charles learn to play the piano?

He went to St. Augustine’s School for the Deaf and Blind, where he began formal piano lessons. He studied classically there, but he enjoyed sneaking jazz and blues licks into his practicing. After the devastating death of his mother when he was 15, Charles went to stay with friends of his mother in Jacksonville.

What did Ray Charles do?

Ray Charles, original name Ray Charles Robinson, (born September 23, 1930, Albany, Georgia, U.S.—died June 10, 2004, Beverly Hills, California), American pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader, a leading entertainer billed as “the Genius.” Charles was credited with the early development of soul music, a style based …

Who did Ray Charles inspire?

Mr. Charles influenced singers as varied as Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison and Billy Joel. But he started out being influenced by a very different singer, Nat King Cole.

When did Ray Charles start playing piano?

1947
Ray Charles/Active from

What genres did Ray Charles sing in?

Ray Charles was a legendary musician often called the “Genius,” who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s. Charles combined blues, gospel, R&B, rock, country music and jazz to create groundbreaking hits such as “Unchain My Heart,” “I’ve Got A Woman” and “What I’d Say.”

How well do you Know Ray Charles?

Ray Charles spent almost sixty years as a professional musician. Millions of people around the world enjoy his recordings. If Ray Charles only played the piano, he would have been considered one of the best. If he had only sung his music, his voice would have made him famous. If he had only played jazz music, the world would have listened.

Why is Ray Charles considered a genius?

“Ray Charles is the guy who combined the sacred and the secular, he combined gospel music and the blues,” Mr. Levy continued, adding, “He’s called a genius because no one could confine him to one genre. He wasn’t just rhythm and blues. He was jazz as well. In the early 60’s he turned himself into a country performer.

Is Ray Charles the best piano player ever?

If Ray Charles only played the piano, he would have been considered one of the best. If he had only sung his music, his voice would have made him famous. If he had only played jazz music, the world would have listened. But Ray Charles did all these things and more. He played and sang rock-and-roll and rhythm-and-blues songs.