Ray Charles

After high school Ray has participated in many musical projects, mainly in the styles of jazz and country. In his works, he drew inspiration from famous jazzmen - County Beysi, Arta Teytuma and Artie Shaw. The first group, in which he took an active part, called «The Florida Playboys». In 1947, semnadtsatiletny Ray, saved $ 600, went to Seattle. He, along with guitarist Gossadi McGhie founded the group «MacSon Trio» (sometimes also called the Maxim). Soon, he began recording, first under the label Swingtime Records. The first three of his recordings - «Guitar Blues», «Walkin 'and Talkin'» and «Wonderin 'and Wonderin'». He has collaborated with renowned R & B performer Louellom Fulsonom and his team accompanying him on piano. Was his first hit - «Confession Blues» (1949). Next his popular song - «Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand» (1951). He then moved under the record label Atlantic records (1952), as well as understand that the «Swingtime Records» never give him the creative freedom desired. His name was soon shortened to Ray Charles to avoid confusion with boxer Ray Robinson (Ray «Sugar» Robinson). July 31, 1951 he married Eylen Williams, but after a year of their marriage fell apart. Notably, the Ray of the 12 children, only 3 were born in wedlock. In 1955, Ray married a second time, now at Della Beatrice Robinson (nee Howard). This marriage lasted until 1977.

In 1953, Ray has released a popular single «Mess Around». In the same year, he arranged and accompanied on the piano known Guitar Slim (Guitar Slim), composition «The Things That I Used To Do», which they recorded, was sold over a million copies. Similarly successful was the single «It Should Have Been Me», which has belonged entirely Reyu. The next tops in his career, Ray achieved in 1955, when the single «I Got a Woman». This single has risen to first place in the R & B charts. This is the single most often mentioned as the first song in the style of soul. At that time, Ray repertoire consisted half of gospel with secular texts, half of the blues ballads. His creativity has helped increase the popularity of Ray R & B and gospel to a wide audience, attracting new listeners - not only blacks but whites. Ray was one of the first musicians to popularize the traditional «black» music and have made this music a truly widespread among the masses.

The main features of the early period of creativity Ray heard on vinyl «Ray Charles in Person». The album was recorded radio WOAK in 1956, not as usual, in the studio and in live performance, the Black students. The album was first turned on the song «What I'd Say», which is already at the time of her live performance in Atlanta, became a hit.

After a while Ray has won wide popularity. It was recorded the album «Ray Charles at Newport», include such hits as «What I'd Say» and «The Night Time (Is The Right Time)».

Ray began to gradually get out of a mixture of blues and gospel, began to write songs with major orchestras, jazz musicians (Milt Jackson), and recorded his first song in the style of country «I'm Movin On» (with Hank Snow).