By William Tredo

Gospel music doesn’t traditionally blend with infidelity, heroin and sexual innuendo unless you’re Ray Charles. The soul movement Ray ignited half a century ago blew into Buffalo State College during part of a year long celebration of “20th Century Americans Who Changed Our Minds and Lives”

The ceremony coincided with Jamie Foxx’s win of the Best Actor Oscar for the movie Ray. People in attendance came for live music, refreshments and the opportunity to gain insight into the life of one of America’s most prominent musicians. Ray was chosen because of his amazing ability to overcome the blind handicap he suffered at the age of seven, his passion for his work, and his tenacity to never act or be treated as a cripple. Buffalo State associate professor Scott Johnson began the homage with an oral discussion regarding Ray’s life and the significance it played upon America.

“Ray’s universality is simply amazing. His ability to refuse designed paradigms and approach different genres within music was so unique. But his charitable works and contributions to helping other people’s ailments especially the deaf, is what’s most remarkable. His legacy is far beyond his creative product!” Johnson said.

Ray’s creative products include these albums:
• “Genius Loves Company”
• “Blues + Jazz”
• “My World”
• “Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music”
• “Ray Charles Live”
• “Ray Charles / Milt Jackson – Soul Brothers Soul Meeting”
• “Strong Love Affair”
• “The Genius of Ray Charles”
• “The Great Ray Charles”
• “Would You Believe?”
• many other greatest hits, best of, and box sets

Johnson discussed Ray’s personal problems, such as his heroin addiction and cases of adultery. But his accomplishments overshadowed his disputed life choices.

Buffalo State music professor Chuck Mancuso supplemented Johnson and led a slide presentation accompanied by a boom-box blasting Ray’s music. He discussed the progression of music to show how Ray’s talent generated a new genre.

“The evolution of race music blossoming into Rhythm & Blues in 1949 is what set the stage for the soul movement that was to follow. A gospel oriented movement called soul jazz was in full swing by 1960,” Mancuso said.

After Ray’s perfect pitch was compared to that of Mozart’s, the highlight of the presentation took place. Brain Boyce jammed on a Yamaha keyboard while Scott Johnson and his trombone pulled time back and forth. According to Johnson, Ray’s greatest contribution to music was his ability to take a phrase and pull the time back and forth, putting his stamp on music with time more so than notes or inflections.

After Boyce and Johnson improvised renditions of “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Georgia on My Mind,” Johnson said we can all learn from Ray’s example and tenacity.

The tribute was followed by light refreshments and individual discussion regarding the presentation. Buffalo State student Richard Dean enjoyed the tribute.

“It was way more insightful than the movie. Although the duet was lacking for me, it’s hard to live up to Ray’s ability,” Dean said.

Related links:

http://www.buffalostate.edu
http://www.buffalostate.edu/pdf/3dcampusmap.pdf
http://www.buffalostate.edu/performingarts/x630.xml?username=mancusc
http://www.mozartproject.org/
http://www.raycharles.com
http://www.50states.com/songs/georgia.htm

William Tredo can be contacted at: tredwm35@buffalostate.edu