CHARLES, RAY

Homebase: Florida / Seattle, WA.
Stats: 1930-2004
Misc Notes: Ray Charles Robinson arrived in Seattle in March 1948, initially gigging as "Ray Robinson." After recruiting two other musicians from Seattle's "Negro" Musicians Union (AFM Local No. 493), they formed the Maxin Trio, began gigging at the Old Rocking Chair nightclub. While living in Seattle Charles wrote new songs including "Alone In The City," "The Snow Is Falling" and "Rocking Chair Blues." Their debut recording was cut the KOL radio studios and released by Downbeat Records. Soon, thereafter, he switched to working as Ray Charles, and in mid-1950 split for Los Angeles where he launched his mega-successful career. By 1951 Charles hit the road touring as the opening act for bluesman Lowell Fulson. Over the subsequent decades Charles returned many times to the Northwest to visit friends and perform in rooms ranging from Seattle's Birdland Supper Club to the Seattle Center Arena to the Trojan Horse restaurant/nightclub, to Olympia's Evergreen Ballroom, to Portland's Public Auditorium, to Eugene's Lane County Fair, to Salem';s Oregon State fair.