Ray Charles: the 100 most inspiring musicians of all time
Ray Charles Robinson (b. Sept. 23, 1930, Albany, Ga., U.S.—d. June 10, 2004, Beverly Hills, Calif.) was an American pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader.
Ray Charles was a leading entertainer, often billed as “the Genius.” Charles was credited with the early development of soul music, a style based on a melding of gospel, rhythm and blues, and jazz music.
When Ray Charles was an infant, his family moved to Greenville, Florida, and he began his musical career at age five on a piano in a neighbourhood café. He began to go blind at six, possibly from glaucoma, completely losing his sight by age seven. He attended the St. Augustine School for the Deaf and Blind, where he concentrated on musical studies, but left school at age 15 to play the piano professionally after his mother died from cancer (his father had died when the boy was 10).
Ray Charles built a remarkable career based on the immediacy of emotion in his performances. After emerging as a blues and jazz pianist indebted to Nat King Cole’s style in the late 1940s, Charles recorded the boogie-woogie classic “Mess Around” and the novelty song “It Should’ve Been Me” in 1952–53. His arrangement for Guitar Slim’s “The Things That I Used to Do” became a blues million-seller in 1953.
By 1954 Charles had created a successful combination of blues and gospel influences and signed on with Atlantic Records. Propelled by Charles’s distinctive raspy voice, “I’ve Got a Woman” and “Hallelujah I Love You So” became hit records. “What’d I Say” led the rhythm-and-blues sales
charts in 1959 and was Charles’s own first million-seller.
Ray Charles’s rhythmic piano playing and band arranging revived the “funky” quality of jazz, but he also recorded in many other musical genres. He entered the pop market with the bestsellers “Georgia on My Mind” (1960) and “Hit the Road, Jack” (1961). His album Modern Sounds in
Country and Western Music (1962) sold more than one million copies, as did its single, “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” Thereafter, his music emphasized jazz standards and renditions of pop and show tunes.
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Artist or Composer / Score name | Cover | List of Contents |
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Barber – Agnus Dei Op. 11 (full score transcribed for mixed Chorus with Organ or Piano Accompaniment) | ||
Barber – Samuel Barber The Composer And His Music (1992) by Barbara B. Heyman (Biography) | ||
Barber Violin Concerto (Violin and Piano sheet music) | ||
Barber Violin Concerto (Violin part sheet music) | ||
Barber_Violin_Concerto.mscz.mscz | ||
Barber, Samuel Cello Concerto (Cello Part) | ||
Barber, Samuel Sonata For Piano, Op.26 | ||
Barber, Samuel – Sure On This Shining Night for Piano and SATB | ||
Barber, Samuel – Adagio for Strings Op. 11 Agnus Dei (solo piano arr.) | ||
Barber, Samuel – Four Songs – Nocturne | ||
Barber, Samuel – Four Songs – A Nun takes the Veil | ||
Barber, Samuel – Four Songs The Secrets of the Old | ||
Barber, Samuel – Summer Music | ||
Barber, Samuel Adagio for Strings full score | Samuel Barber-Adagio for Strings full score | |
Barber, Samuel Adagio For Strings Samuel Barber (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Barber, Samuel Agnus Dei Adagio for strings op. 11 for mixed chorus | ||
Barber, Samuel Nocturne Op. 33 | ||
Barber, Samuel Op 26 Piano Sonata | ||
Barbra Streisand The way we were (piano) | Barbra Streisand The way we were piano | |
Barbra Streisand – Not While Im Around | ||
Barbra Streisand – Evergreen | ||
Barbra Streisand – Send In The Clowns | ||
Barbra Streisand – The Broadway album (Piano and voice) | Streisand, Barbra – The Broadway album (Piano and voice) | |
Barbra Streisand – The Way We Were | ||
Barbra Streisand Collection | Book Barbra Streisand Collection | |
Barbra Streisand Evergreen | Barbra Streisand Evergreen | |
Barbra Streisand Guilty – songbook | Barbra Streisand Guilty – songbook | |
Barbra Streisand Memories Songbook | Barbra Streisand Memories Songbook | |
Barbra Streisand My Name Is Barbra (Barbra Streisand) (Book) | ||
Barbra Streisand Somewhere From West Side Story | Barbra Streisand Somewhere From West Side Story | |
Barcarolle (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Barney Kessel – The Jazz Guitar Artistry Of Barney Kessel (14 original Guitar Solos) | Barney Kessel – The Jazz Guitar Artistry Of Barney Kessel (14 original Guitar Solos) | |
Barney Kessel – The Jazz Guitar Artistry Of Barney Kessel (Vol. 2 original Guitar Solos) | Barney Kessel – The Jazz Guitar Artistry Of Barney Kessel (Vol. 2 original Guitar Solos) | |
Barney Kessel Danny Boy Guitar with Tablature | ||
Barney Kessel Minor Mode | ||
Baroque Expressions Martha Mier from Bravo Book One (Piano Solos).mscz | ||
Baroque Guitar Sheet Music arr. by Frederick Noad Guitar Anthology,The Classical Guitar | Baroque Guitar Sheet Music arr. by Frederick Noad Guitar Anthology,The Classical Guitar | |
Baroque Keyboard Anthology Book 1 24 Works For Piano Or Keyboard by Robin Bigwood | Baroque Keyboard Anthology Book 1 24 Works For Piano Or Keyboard by Robin Bigwood | |
Barrelhouse And Boogie Piano by Eric Kriss | Barrelhouse And Boogie Piano by Eric Kriss | |
Barry Hanks – Rhythm Changes Solo Transcription | Barry Hanks – Rhythm Changes Solo Transcription | |
Barry Harris Approach to improvised lines & harmony | ||
Barry Harris Basics Summary Of Class Exploring the Diminished | ||
Barry Harris Donna Lee sheet music transcription | ||
Barry Harris Harmonic Method For Guitar, The | ||
Barry Harris Jazz Workshop Part 1 | ||
Barry Harris Jazz Workshop Part 2 | ||
Barry Harris Method Método IMPROVISACIÓN (Español-Spanish) | ||
Barry Harris On Green Dolphin Street sheet music transcription | ||
Barry Harris’ solo on “Woody n’You | Barry Harris Woody n’You | |
Barry Manilow – Can’t Smile Without You | ||
Barry Manilow – Copacabana (At the Copa) | ||
Barry Manilow – Copacabana | ||
Barry Manilow – Mandy | ||
Barry Manilow – Sheet Music Anthology | Barry Manilow – Sheet Music Anthology | |
BARRY WHITE – (THE COLLECTION) | BARRY WHITE – (THE COLLECTION) | |
Barry White – Loves Theme | ||
Bart Howard – Fly Me To The Moon Guitar and TABs (Jazz Standard) | Bart Howard – Fly Me To The Moon Guitar and TABs (Jazz Standard) | |
Bartok – For Children, Sz. 42 Complete 1 to 43 Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok – Improvisations op 20 Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok – Mikrokosmos (Books 1 to 6) Bela Bartok | Bartok – Mikrokosmos (1-6) sheet music | |
Bartok – Mikrokosmos Vol. 2 Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok – Mikrokosmos Vol. 4 Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok – Mikrokosmos Vol.1 Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok – Sonate For Piano Solo Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok 6 Danses populaires roumaines Bela Bartok | Bartok.-.6.Danses.populaires.roumaines | |
Bartok For Children Book 1 Based On Hungarian Folk Tunes Piano Solo | ||
Bartok For Children Book 2 after Slovakian Folk Tunes Piano Solo | Bartok For Children Book 2 after Slovakian Folk Tunes Piano Solo | |
Bartok Improvisations op. 20 Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok Piano Sonata Bela Bartok | ||
Bartok Ten Easy Pieces | ||
Basic Piano Library Piano Recital Book Level 1B | Basic Piano Library Piano Recital Book Level 1B | |
Bass Guitar For Dummies (eBook) | ||
Bass Standards (Classic Jazz Masters) Note for note transcriptions of jazz Bass classic performances | Bass Standards (Classic Jazz Masters) Note for note transcriptions of jazz Bass classic performances | |
Bastien – Piano Basics Level 1 Piano | ||
Bastien Piano Basics – Piano for the Young Beginner Primer A | ||
Bastien Piano Basics – Piano for the Young Beginner Primer B | ||
Bastien Piano Basics – Theory Level 2 | Bastien Piano Basics – Theory Level 2 | |
Bastien Piano Basics Level 3 | ||
Bastien Piano Basics Technic Primer Level for children | ||
Batman – Flowers Of The Past – Danny Elfman | Batman-Flowers-Of-The-Past-Danny-Elfman 1st page | |
Batman – Sonata In Darkness Michael Giacchino | Batman – Sonata In Darkness Michael Giacchino | |
Batman Begins – Hans Zimmer James Newton Howard Ramin Djawadi – Molossus | ||
Batman Returns – Birth Of A Penguin – Danny Elfman | Batman Returns – Birth Of A Penguin – Danny Elfman | |
Battlefield 1 – Homing Pigeon | Battlefield 1 – Homing Pigeon | |
Baywatch – Main Theme | ||
Be My Love (Nicholas Brodszky & Sammy Cahn) Jazz Piano Solo arr. sheet music | ||
Beach Boys Good Vibrations sheet music | ||
Beach Boys The Best Of Book | ||
Beach Boys, The – Guitar Anthology Series | Beach Boys, The – Guitar Anthology Series | |
Beato Book 4.0, The – A Creative Approach to Music Theory and Improvisation for Guitar and Other Instruments | ||
Beautiful (Christina Aguilera) | ||
Beautiful rain Soredemo Sekay | Beautiful rain Soredemo Sekay | |
Beauty And The Beast – Alan Menken from 1991 Disney film Piano Solo | ||
Beauty And The Beast – Main Theme – Alan Menken | ||
Beauty And The Beast (Disney) Piano Score | Beauty And The Beast (Disney) Piano Score | |
Bebo Valdes – El Manisero – Piano solo | El Manisero – Bebo Valdes | |
BEBOP – The Music and its Players (Thomas Owens) Book | ||
Bebop Exercise.mscz | ||
BeBop Jazz Piano – John Valerio – Book + MP3 audio tracks | Bebop piano sheet music book | |
Bebop Piano Legends Artist Transciptions For Piano | Bebop Piano Legends Artist Transciptions For Piano | |
Bebop Third Ear The Essential Listening Companion (Scott Yanow) Book | ||
Because – The Beatles (For String Quartet) (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Beck – Everybodys gotta learn sometime – with lyrics | ||
Bee Gees It’s Easy To Play Bee Gees | Bee Gees It’s Easy To Play Bee Gees | |
Bee Gees – How Deep Is Your Love | ||
Bee Gees – Stayin Alive | ||
Bee Gees Anthology – complete songbook | The Bee Gees Guitar Songbook | |
Beegie Adair Fly Me To The Moon Jazz Standard Piano Solo | ||
Beegie Adair It Never Entered My Mind (Jazz Standard Transcription) | ||
Beethoven Ode To Joy (Jazz Version) | ||
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 1st Movement Arr. For 2 Pianos | ||
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 4 3rd Movement Arr. For 2 Pianos | ||
Beethoven Variations In E Flat Major Eroica Op. 35 Piano Solo arr. | ||
Beethoven L.V. – Piano Sonata 15 | ||
Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 5 In E-Flat Major Emperor Op. 73 – Piano Solo (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Beethoven – 6 Sonatinas | ||
Beethoven – A First Book of Beethoven Easy Piano arr. favorite pieces by David Dutkanicz | Beethoven – A First Book of Beethoven Easy Piano arr. favorite pieces by David Dutkanicz | |
Beethoven – Choral Fantasy For Piano Choir And Orchestra Op. 80 (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Beethoven – Fantasia In G Minor. Op.77 (Musescore File).mscz | ||
Beethoven – Fur Elise | Beethoven – Fur Elise |
From 1955, Ray Charles toured extensively in the United States and elsewhere with his own big band and a gospelstyle female backup quartet called The Raeletts. He also appeared on television and worked in films such as Ballad in Blue (1964) and The Blues Brothers (1980) as a featured act and soundtrack composer. He formed his own custom recording labels, Tangerine in 1962 and Crossover Records n 1973.
The recipient of many national and international awards, he received 13 Grammy Awards, including a lifetime achievement award in 1987. In 1986 Charles was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received a Kennedy Center Honor. He published an autobiography, Brother Ray, Ray Charles’ Own Story (1978), written with David Ritz.
Download Ray Charles’ sheet music from our Library.
Ray Charles in Copenhagen 1973
Track List:
0:00 Intro 5:29 Hallelujah I Love Her So (Ray Charles) 9:08 Georgia On My Mind (Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell) 15:09 You Made Me Love You (James V. Monaco & Joseph McCarthy) 18:12 Yesterday (Paul McCartney) 23:43 Feel So Bad (J. Johnson) 30:05 Goin’ Down Slow (“St. Louis” Jimmy Oden) 37:27 Goin’ Down Slow (Bis) 39:45 Intro Raelettes 44:16 Rocksteady (Aretha Franklin)
48:55 I Can’t Stop Loving You (Don Gibson) 54:48 Look What They Have Done To My Song, Ma (The New Seekers) 59:58 Indian Love Call (Nelson Eddy & Jeanette MacDonald) 1:14:40 Eleanor Rigby (Paul McCartney & John Lennon) 1:18:47 Introduction John Henderson 1:23:10 Shake (Ray Charles) 1:27:35 Ray introducing Raelettes by name; in call and response improv) 1:39:20 Leave My Man Alone (Vernita Moss) 1:42:54 Introduction band 1:43:41 So Soon (John Henderson) 1:48:30 What’d I Say (Ray Charles)