Ray Charles

My music had roots which I’d dug up from my own childhood, musical roots buried in the darkest soil.

There are many spokes on the wheel of life. First, we’re here to explore new possibilities.

My version of Georgia became the state song of Georgia. That was a big thing for me, man. It really touched me. Here is a state that used to lynch people like me suddenly declaring my version of a song as its state song. That is touching.

I don’t know what would have happened to me if I hadn’t been able to hear.

Learning to read music in Braille and play by ear helped me develop a damn good memory.

What is a soul? It’s like electricity – we don’t really know what it is, but it’s a force that can light a room.

Sometimes there are no gigs, but the main thing is still the music.

When you hear somebody with balls, that’s me.

I always try to teach by example and not force my ideas on a young musician. One of the reasons we’re here is to be a part of this process of exchange.

The piano ain’t got no wrong notes.

Benny Goodman was one of the big influences as a clarinet player. That’s why I wanted the clarinet.

If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t really trying.

Well, if you find a note tonight that sounds good, play the same damn note every night!

He knows I rip him off every day. He’s the godfather for me. Nobody can say they aren’t influenced by what Stevie Wonder has done.

Jazz music grabs you to the point where it never lets you go until the very last breath.

Music is my life, professionally, for nearly 60 years. To be recognized by the academy is still the highest honor.

Stevie didn’t use the technology to drive the song. He used it to enhance. I use the tools to further my work, I don’t use my work to further the tools.

Jazz music is the real deal.

The more you listen, the more your hear.

Creativity and artistic endeavors have a mission that goes far beyond just making music for the sake of music.

If I were to call it black music, that would be untrue. I don’t know what that is, unless it would be some African drums or something.