Yes Indeed! Ray Charles – A Photographic Retrospective at The GRAMMY Museum®
to Join Some of Charles’ Friends and Colleagues for Intimate Panel Discussion
WHO: Some of Ray Charles’ closest friends and colleagues whose experiences provide priceless and enlightening insight into the life of the legendary musician. Moderated by Bob Santelli, Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum, panelists will include former Raelett, Dr. Mable John, who performed countless times with Charles; Victor Vanacore, Charles’ music director from 1991-2004; Charles’ biographer and world famous author David Ritz; Valerie Ervin, President of the Ray Charles Foundation; and Tony Gumina, President of the Ray Charles Marketing Group.
WHAT: Hosted by GENESIS PUBLICATIONS and The GRAMMY Museum, in association with the Ray Charles Marketing Group and the Ray Charles Foundation, to launch Genesis’ newest limited edition book Ray Charles – Yes Indeed! Photographs by Joe Adams, some of Charles’ friends and colleagues will join together for an intimate discussion about the legendary musician with rare video and photographs. With topics ranging from Charles’ self perception, working with Charles in the office and doing business with him, creating music with Charles to performing on stage with him, the panelists will provide an insightful look into the life of the legend and musical “genius.” Accompanying the discussion will be rare video footage from various performances by Charles as well as photos from the book. Biographer David Ritz will be on hand to sign and personalize purchased copies of Yes Indeed!, following the discussion.
WHERE: The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite A245
(near intersection of Figueroa and Olympic)
Los Angeles, CA 90015
No-host parking available in surrounding lots
WHEN: Tuesday, May 12, 2009
7:00 PM Doors
7:30 PM Discussion
9:00 PM Book signing by David Ritz
RSVP Required: Jessica Erskine/ 310.854.8129/ jerskine@rogersandcowan.com
OTHER: Ray Charles – Yes Indeed! Photographs by Joe Adams celebrates the life of the legendary Ray Charles in a collection of never before seen photos and text on the life of the musician, featuring commentary by Bill Wyman, Willie Nelson, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Tom Waits and David Ritz. As one of Charles’ closes confidants and advisors during his rise to fame, Charles’ manager and longtime friend Joe Adams was known as “the man behind the man.” For 45 years, Adams nurtured the icon’s career as a manager and captured his time with Charles at work, on stage and in the studio, as documented with over 125 remarkable photos in this high-end, limited edition book, published by Genesis Publications. Included in the release is a DVD of rare footage from Charles’ many television performances. The book is available through Genesis Publications at www.genesis-publications.com and The GRAMMY Museum gift shop for £235 (approx. $340.00 USD). A selection of more Genesis books can be found in retail outlets throughout the United States including: Paul Smith, Marc by Marc Jacobs (Los Angeles), James Perse, John Varvatos, Taschen (Beverly Hills & SoHo NY), Morrison Hotel Galleries and San Francisco Art Exchange.
About The GRAMMY Museum
Paying tribute to music's rich cultural history, this one-of-a-kind, 21st-century Museum explores and celebrates the enduring legacies of all forms of music, the creative process, the art and technology of the recording process, and the history of the premier recognition of excellence in recorded music — the GRAMMY® Award. The GRAMMY Museum features 30,000 square feet of interactive and multimedia exhibits located within L.A. LIVE, the downtown Los Angeles sports, entertainment and residential district. Through thought-provoking and dynamic public and educational programs and exhibits, guests can experience music from a never-before-seen insider perspective that only The GRAMMY Museum can deliver. For more information, visit www.grammymuseum.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Maureen O’Connor/Jessica Erskine
Rogers & Cowan
310.854.8116/8129