Grammy's
Turns into Ray Charles Love Fest February
14, 2004 - The late great Ray Charles cleaned
up at the Grammy's this year with 8 wins. His duets album "Genius Loves Company"
won many of the top prizes including Album of the Year and best Pop Album. "Here
We Go Again" his duet with Norah Jones
won Record of the Year and best Pop Collaboration. More
Ray
Charles Grammy
Wins (8) -
Album of the Year: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles
and Various Artists. - Record Of The Year: Here
We Go Again, Ray Charles And Norah Jones. - Instrumental
Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): Over the Rainbow, Victor Vanacore,
arranger (Ray Charles & Johnny Mathis), from Genius Loves Company. - Best
Engineered Album, non-classical: Genius Loves Company. - Best
Surround Sound Album: Genius Loves Company. - Gospel
Performance: Heaven Help Us All, Ray Charles and Gladys Knight. - Pop
Vocal Album: Genius Loves Company, Ray Charles and Various Artists. -
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: Here We Go Again,
Ray Charles and Norah Jones. Smooth
Jazz Nominees at the Grammys December
8, 2004 - Looks like the sun won't set any time soon on Norah
Jones. The singer was nominated for five Grammys yesterday including nods
for Pop Vocal Album and Female Pop Vocal for her second CD "Feels Like Home."
The late Ray Charles was another multiple
nominee with seven (his album had 10 nominations) and the biggest artist heard
on Smooth Jazz radio was Alicia Keys with
eight nominations.
Read
more.
Ray
Charles
7 Nominations
(his
album had 10 nominations)
- Record of the Year - "Here
We Go Again" with Norah Jones from his album "Genius Loves
Company" - Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals
"Here We Go Again" with Norah Jones from his album "Genius
Loves Company" - Best Pop Collaboration With
Vocals - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word with Elton
John from "Genius Loves Company" - Album
Of The Year - "Genius Loves Company" - Best
Pop Vocal Album - "Genius Loves Company" - Best
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "Sinner's Prayer"
with B.B. King from "Genius Loves Company" Ray
Charles Influenced "Ray" In More Ways than One October
29, 2004 - Though Ray Charles has now passed
he was an integral part of the development of his bio-pic "Ray," opening
today in North America. During the last year of his life the legendary singer
laid his cards on the table about the darker side of his life including heroin
addiction and womanizing both of which are depicted in the film. Director Taylor
Hackford says Charles wanted the movie to be honest. It was Hackford who introduced
Charles to the films star Jamie Foxx (left) and the two hit it off immediately.
In fact on first meeting the pair played piano together. Foxx had a piano scholarship
in University - so he's the real deal but he did admit that Charles taught him
a thing or two about the piano. Ray
Charles Tribute Packed With Stars September
22, 2004 - Ray Charles may be gone but we're
bound to hear more from the legendary singer for years to come either with re-releases,
rarities or the many bio books slated for release. The first big event will be
a tribute concert slated for Oct. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. A plethora
of stars have signed on to pay tribute to their old friend including Stevie
Wonder, Usher and Norah Jones. The show
will be taped and later broadcast on CBS. It's "Genius: A Night for Ray Charles."
So far an airtime has not been confirmed. Other confirmed performers include Elton
John, B.B. King, Al Green, Reba McEntire,
Mary J. Blige, Kenny Chesney, Billy Preston and David "Fathead" Newman
and Quincy Jones. Jamie Foxx who will play Charles in movie "Ray" due
Oct. 29 will host the event. Friends
Set To Celebrate Ray Charles' Life August
9, 2004 - Anyone who's ever experienced Ray Charles
in concert will testify that it was always a big event so it seems fitting that
his friends want a big shindig to celebrate his life. Bill Cosby will host and
performers include Michael McDonald,
James Ingram, Gerald Levert and Angie Stone. The tribute concert will be held
in Beverly Hills, California on September 29th. Proceeds will benefit Morehouse
College in Atlanta, a favorite of the late singer. Also this week personal effects
of the late Ray Charles will be auctioned in West Hollywood to benefit a homeless
charity. Joy Community Outreach 11th Annual Auction will be dedicated to Charles
who died on June 10. Also on the auction block will be personal items from Gladys
Knight, Bonnie Raitt and Motown writers Holland, Dozier and Holland. It takes
place August 13th. Ray Charles Dead
At 73 June
10, 2004 - Music legend Ray Charles died
in California today. The 73 year old singer died surrounded by friends and family
at his home in Beverly Hills. A spokesman says Charles died of acute liver disease.
The singer underwent hip surgery last year and had to cancel his first tour in
53 years. He was last seen in public April 30 along with Clint Eastwood when the
city of Los Angeles designated the singer's studios as a historic landmark. Charles
won 12 Grammys and was most famous for the song 'Georgia on My Mind.' His next
album 'Genius Loves Company' will be released August 31 and will feature duets
with Norah Jones, James
Taylor, Elton John, Diana
Krall, Van Morrison and many more. In
October, Jamie Foxx will star in 'Unchain My Heart: The Ray Charles Story.' Ray
Charles Headquarters a Historical Landmark April
14, 2004 - It's a good week of honors for music legends. Yesterday Smooth Jazz
Now reported news on a BB King statue to go along
with a museum to pay tribute to the Blues legend. Ray
Charles is getting similar treatment via his studio and headquarters R-P-M
International being named a historical landmark. Charles has worked in the same
studio in central Los Angeles for over 40 years saying it's "the only home
I've ever had." The dedication ceremony will be on April 30th. Ray Charles Takes
More Time To Recover February
25, 2004 - Ray Charles was hoping to get
back on the road next week but his aching body spoke louder than his urge to tour.
Charles who underwent hip replacement surgery last December has had to cancel
his comeback concert in New York next Tuesday. The legendary singer has also cancelled
all shows until mid June. Charles say's he's not recovering as fast as he had
hoped. As earlier reported on Smooth Jazz Now Charles had to cancel his first
tour in 53 years last August because of his hip condition. Ray Charles Receives
President's Merit Award February
3, 2004 - Ray Charles says he's always surprised when fans appreciate his work.
The 73 year old Grammy winner is still humbled every time he gets an award which
is a frequent occurrence for this music legend. Case in point Charles was recently
awarded the President's Merit Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences. Charles said, "The recognition by the academy is the highest
honor." Also this month as part of African-American heritage month Los Angeles
Mayor, Jim Hahn plans to declare Charles the city's "cultural treasure."
Charles is recovering from hip replacement surgery and will head back on the road
with a tour kicking off next month. Ray
Charles Plans His Comeback January
9, 2004 - Ray Charles is on the mend and you may see him in your hometown this
year. The legendary singer/pianist had to cancel his tour last year to undergo
hip replacement surgery. Charles will give his first performance in eight months
on March 2nd in New York. While he was recovering Charles recorded a duets album
featuring Norah
Jones, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and
Willie Nelson. The singer told the press performing music is as important to him
as oxygen and he's thrilled to be back. Ray Charles
Recovering from Hip Surgery December
4, 2003 - You could never accuse Ray Charles of being a slacker! The singer who
had hip replacement surgery last week says he can't wait to get back on the road.
The music legend had the operation in Los Angeles and is currently resting at
his home in Beverly Hills. He will be returning to the studio next week and plans
to tour in March. Ray
Charles' New Christmas DVD October
28, 2003 - It will be a Gospel Christmas for music legend Ray Charles with the
release of his first holiday DVD "Ray Charles Celebrates A Gospel Christmas."
The ninety minute concert DVD will also feature the world famous 120 member Voices
of Jubilation Gospel Choir of Newark, New Jersey. What makes this endeavor so
special is that the twelve time Grammy winner Charles has never performed traditional
holiday music in a live concert setting. The singer brings his own unique, jazz/rhythm
and blues interpretation to these traditional holiday favorites. The show includes
such favorites as The Christmas Song, (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) Little
Drummer Boy, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, The First Noel,
Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and many more. Ray Charles
Wants You To Be A Blues Star? September
25, 2003 - Though he had to cancel his fall tour because of hip problems Ray Charles
still found time to announce a big Blues writing contest on his 73rd birthday
yesterday. Contestants have until December 15th to submit their future Blues Classics
at www.blueslab.com.
Joining Charles in the judging department is Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Alicia Keys and Roger Waters formerly of Pink Floyd. Five winners will be flown
to Los Angeles to work with Charles in producing the song. Runner-up prizes include
a bass lesson with Flea and a guitar signed by Britney Spears. Yes,
you read right, we all know how Blues fans just love that Britney Spears! Ray Charles Cancels Tour August
8, 2003 - Don't expect to see Ray Charles in concert anytime soon. The legendary
singer has had to cancel his whole tour after suffering from acute hip discomfort.
Doctors ordered Charles to mend his body and scrub thirty shows. Charles' spokesman
says the singer has had cartilage problems around the joint and was undergoing
treatment in Los Angeles. How much rest Charles will get is debatable the singer
is expected to work on a new gospel and a duets album in his private studio in
the next two months. Hip
Problems For Ray Charles July
30, 2003 - Ray Charles has had to cancel a few shows because of a painful hip
problem. According to the singer's publicist Charles is being treated in Los Angeles
for cartilage problems around the hip joint. So far fourteen concert dates have
been affected. Charles is expected to resume his tour on August 22nd in Escondido,
California.
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February
14, 2004 - The late great 
December
8, 2004 - Looks like the sun won't set any time soon on 
October
29, 2004 - Though 
September
22, 2004 - 
August
9, 2004 - Anyone who's ever experienced 
December
4, 2003 - You could never accuse Ray Charles of being a slacker! The singer who
had hip replacement surgery last week says he can't wait to get back on the road.
The music legend had the operation in Los Angeles and is currently resting at
his home in Beverly Hills. He will be returning to the studio next week and plans
to tour in March.
October
28, 2003 - It will be a Gospel Christmas for music legend Ray Charles with the
release of his first holiday DVD "Ray Charles Celebrates A Gospel Christmas."
The ninety minute concert DVD will also feature the world famous 120 member Voices
of Jubilation Gospel Choir of Newark, New Jersey. What makes this endeavor so
special is that the twelve time Grammy winner Charles has never performed traditional
holiday music in a live concert setting. The singer brings his own unique, jazz/rhythm
and blues interpretation to these traditional holiday favorites. The show includes
such favorites as The Christmas Song, (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) Little
Drummer Boy, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, Silent Night, The First Noel,
Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and many more.
July
30, 2003 - Ray Charles has had to cancel a few shows because of a painful hip
problem. According to the singer's publicist Charles is being treated in Los Angeles
for cartilage problems around the hip joint. So far fourteen concert dates have
been affected. Charles is expected to resume his tour on August 22nd in Escondido,
California.
