Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) called music icon Ray Charles, "the tallest tree in the field of music," and said he was "an inspiration to all Americans," respectively, as they recalled fond memories of Ray Charles, who passed away last Thursday after a lengthy battle with cancer.
"Visiting Ray Charles just a few days ago," said Rev. Jackson, "I witnessed his characteristic fortitude as he battled cancer. Ray never surrendered; he just slept and sang away, full of song and harmony backed by a full orchestra."
"The musical genius of Ray Charles in an inspiration to all Americans," said Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.), who serves as chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
"He was especially an inspiration to African-Americans. During the turbulent years of the 1950s and 1960s, the music of Ray Charles defied the racial and economic barriers that segregated Blacks from whites. His soulful voice touched the hearts and minds of people around the world and demonstrated what is possible when individuals are judged by their character and not their color," Cummings said.
"No tree stood taller, longer or covered as many species in the forest," Rev. Jackson added.
"His wingspan covered the most territory; spanning the full range of rhythm and blues, gospel, rock 'n' roll, jazz, classical, even country and western blended together in a unique and indistinguishable Ray Charles, kind of way.
"Ray Charles is indeed America's music laureate, a national treasure. He is America's most authentic musician-poet of our time. Ray was a consummate musician who saw the world through the lens of music. He is the soul of music, taking gospel and weaving it together with R -- a revolutionary blend -- with a singing style like a minister preaching in full music. Yes, Ray saw music through the whole door and not just through a key hole," Rev. Jackson continued.
"It is amazing and yet it is so fitting, that an African American man, born in the segregated South, blind by the age of seven and orphaned at fifteen, would become a hallmark of American popular culture," Cummings mused.
"The members of the Congressional Black Caucus salute Ray Charles, a phenomenal artist and an extraordinary American."
Rev. Jackson said Ray Charles was in a class of his own. He reflected on how Charles, along with Quincy Jones, blazed new trails in music together. "In every facet of his life - from music to his unwavering support for social causes to his contributions to Morehouse University," Rev. Jackson said, "Ray moved in all circles seamlessly and selflessly. He is perhaps the most beloved musician in the whole world, for more than a half century, the frame of reference for excellence in music and culture," Rev. Jackson concluded.
Article copyright REAL TIMES Inc.
Photograph (Ray Charles)
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