| 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:
www.buffalostate.edu
http://www.buffalostate.edu/pdf/3dcampusmap.pdf
http://www.buffalostate.edu/performingarts/x630.xml?username=mancusc
http://www.mozartproject.org/
www.raycharles.com
www.50states.com/songs/georgia.htm
William Tredo can be contacted at: tredwm35@buffalostate.edu
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