Remembering Ray Charles

Ray Charles was born on September 23, 1930. To commemorate this man’s musical genius, Stingray DJAZZ broadcasts the documentary ‘Ray Charles: Genius of Soul’. “The mournful expressiveness of his voice opens a window into the human heart, it is the sound of soul, a cosmic howl that cuts through emotional canvases like a hot knife through butter.” These words of documentary maker Yvonne Smith perfectly describe the incredible sound of Ray Charles. This man, who combined blues, jazz, gospel and rhythm & blues and created the music we now know as soul, can rightfully be called a genius. This documentary gives a unique overview of his turbulent life. Colleagues and contemporaries including David "Fathead" Newman, Dr. John, Billy Joel, Willie Nelson, Hank Crawford, Ahmet Ertegün, Jerry Wexler, Billy Preston, Merry Clayton, and Ray Charles, Jr. share their first-hand experiences with Ray Charles.