Ray Charles

A multi-talented blind black musician who grew up blind. 

Ray Charles Robinson was an American singer-songwriter, musician and composer known as Ray Charles. He was blind by the age of 7, and his mother sent him to a state-sponsored school, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida—where he learned to read, write and arrange music in Braille. He also learned to play piano, organ, sax, clarinet and trumpet. The breadth of his musical interests ranged widely, from gospel to country, to blues.

He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records. He also helped racially integrate country and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, most notably with his Modern Sounds albums. While with ABC, Charles became one of the first African-American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. Frank Sinatra called Charles “the only true genius in show business,” although Charles downplayed this notion.

“I can’t retire from music any more than I can retire from my liver. You’d have to remove the music from me surgically—like you were taking out my appendix.”– Ray Charles

Ray Charles died from acute liver disease Thursday June 10, 2004. He was 73. He left behind a long list of hits and Grammy awards and the musicians he influenced are as diverse in genre as the music he wrote, arranged, performed and recorded. The great Ray Charles was an explorer who returned time and again from expeditions across musical boundaries to give us, in his own unique way, melodious stories and charts of his adventures. In so doing he changed what had previously been only a black and white territorial paper map of American music into a 3-D, solid terrain model, full of color.

Robert Alexander Schumann

A composer with mental illness.

Schumann became a composer because he failed as a pianist. The 1830s were the dawn of a new kind of piano virtuosity, exemplified by Chopin and Liszt. Schumann was eager to make his mark, and to try to speed up the process he constructed a weird device using a cigar box and some wire. It was intended to prop up his fingers while practicing, the idea being to strengthen them and develop independence. But instead, two fingers on his right hand were permanently injured. Schumann informed his family, who had only grudgingly given their approval to his intended career as a musician, that instead of now becoming a lawyer — which is what he promised to do if a piano career failed — he was going to focus on writing music.

Schumann spent the last two years of his life in a mental asylum. But he had voluntarily committed himself and early on, to a considerable extent, he recovered. Being discharged was an option that didn’t seem to occur to him. He didn’t feel cured. He hated where he was being held and repeatedly asked friends and family to have him transferred somewhere else. Schumann was convinced that he was misunderstood by the physicians who were supposed to cure him — and there is evidence to support his claim.

From 1850 to 1854, Schumann composed in a wide variety of genres. Critics have disputed the quality of his work at this time; a widely held view has been that his music showed signs of mental breakdown and creative decay. More recently, critics have suggested that the changes in style may be explained by “lucid experimentation”. In late February 1854, Schumann’s symptoms increased, the angelic visions sometimes being replaced by demonic visions. He warned Clara (his wife) that he feared he might do her harm. On 27 February 1854, he attempted suicide by throwing himself from a bridge into the Rhine River. Rescued by boatmen and taken home, he asked to be taken to an asylum for the insane.

While in the asylum, Schumann was not encouraged to write music; it was regarded as harmful. But he was very interested in what he had composed shortly before becoming a patient, and asked others whether the music had yet been published and what the public reaction had been. One of those recent pieces was the Gesänge der Frühe (Songs of Dawn) Op. 133 from 1853. They were his last works for solo piano. Not long after writing them, Schumann had the nervous breakdown which led to his institutionalization. Unlike most of his piano music, these fit awkwardly under the hands, and transitioning between musical passages can sound clumsy. The first of the five-piece set is majestic and hymn-like.

Ludwig van Beethoven

Widely regarded as the greatest composer ever, Beethoven began losing his hearing at age 31 and was completely deaf 16 years later.

As he became more and more deaf, Beethoven grew profoundly depressed. Shortly before his death, Beethoven wrote, “O how harshly was I repulsed by the doubly sad experience of my bad hearing….’ But little more and I would have put an end to my life.” At first he contemplated suicide, but after a long darkness of the soul, composed what he called his “Heiligenstadt Testament,” which was a statement of heroic idealism in that he decided to not only stand and fight, but overcome physical and political barriers so that he might realize transcendental beauty through music.

He felt called to produce his art, and he would not quit. As his prison of silence grew quieter, he had to rely on his “inner ear”—his memory of sounds. All the odds were against him, and so it would have turned out, had it not been for something inside Beethoven that would not bend. He would not quit.

In the midst of his affliction, he wrote: “There is no greater joy for me than to pursue and produce my art. Oh, if I were only rid of this affliction I could embrace the world!…But I will seize it by the throat; most assuredly it shall not get me wholly down.”

Beethoven continued to compose even after he became completely deaf. The most enduring and beautiful works Beethoven ever conceived, and some of the greatest musical works of all time, were entirely created during this period—including the monumental Ninth Symphony, Missa Solemnis, his last five piano sonatas, and his last five string quartets.

Watch video of interesting  Facts about Beethoven.

Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste

The only symphony in Central Africa and the only all-black orchestra in the world.

In the Congolese capital Kinshasa, just surviving is hard enough. But one group of people spends hours traveling across town to sit in a sweltering compound and practice Handel. They are members of the Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste, Central Africa’s only symphony orchestra.

The Orchestre Symphonique Kimbanguiste (OSK) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo now has over 200 members, yet when Armand Wabasolele Diangienda, the conductor, started the project, it was from decidedly more humble beginnings. With only twelve amateur musicians and five instruments, rehearsals took place late at night to accommodate members’ working hours, and involved one person playing for twenty minutes, then giving the instrument to the next person for their turn. Things taken for granted in western musical education, such as access to instruments, or even the ability to obtain sheet music, were not options for the group. Yet these obstacles were seen as simply challenges rather than stumbling blocks, and the ensemble endeavoured to find means and ways as admirable as they are pioneering. 

Faraz Nayyer

A versatile singer and composer with a very soothing voice texture, Mr. Faraz Nayyer, attracts youngsters and people of all ages through his rock, pop, semi classical, sufi, and qawwali music.

Born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, Nayyer is very talented.  In his schooling days, he would always win all inter-school singing competitions. In fact, he won as champion in the RISING STAR in 2006 at Punjab Pakistan.

He began to embrace music when his brother, Sam Nayyer, joined him by playing the guitar. Both of them have been teaching music for more than five years in prominent schools like Bloomfield Hall School, Lacas and Lahore Grammar School.

On December 25, 2010, the first successful song sung was “Door Nazron Se of Faraz Nayyer” which was released in a telefilm named Piano Girl on Hum T.v Pakistan. Secondly, the song “AaPaasAaJaan-e-jana” was released on Valentine’s Day in 2011 in a telefilm Love You Qasam Se on Express Entertainment T.V Pakistan.

Faraz Nayyer made Pakistan proud when he was selected as one of the members of Team Pakistan in a singing talent show SUR KSHETRA which was aired in Dubai, India and Pakistan.

For more updates, visit his Facebook page FarazNayyerOfficial

Sharon Musgrave

Sharon Musgrave was born in the UK, and raised in Canada. Her career shot to prominence in the 90′s with William Orbit. She left Canada for London in 1986 to pursue a career in music. She achieved international chart status with the hit “Fascinating Rhythm” (Virgin) which Sharon performed and wrote. In 1992 Sharon was asked by WEA Records in London to work with jazz pianist Julian Joseph on his “Language of Truth” album, performing Curtis Mayfield’s, “The Other Side of Town.” The single off the album.

After a career span of 10 years of touring all parts of the world, Singing in Commercials and constantly honing in on her writing abilities, she returned to Canada to settle and have a family. But her calling for creativity and performance brought her back on the stage in 1998, when she produced her first solo album project “Selah” with renowned engineer L.Stu Young.

Her Canadian solo release “Selah”(Zosar) earned her two nominations from the Urban Music Association of Canada – “Best Songwriter” and “Best Spoken Word”, for the album’s title track “Selah.” The video shot to the top 20 on Bravo’s video chart count down. She performed throughout Canada after making a debut performance at the Toronto Jazz Festival at Harbourfront Center in Toronto.

Then in 2003 a dance track she wrote and performed entitled “Nobody” was internationally released on the CD “Soulfragettes”, released on timewarp in Europe. The song was then singled out for “Ibiza Lounge-3″, a compilation which includes Nora Jones and Coldplay.

In 2009 “Fantasy,” was released on producer Steve Miller’s, Electrosensitive album. A dance track she co-wrote and performed, (Defected records). Also included on (Hedkandi) Beach House Compilation.

January 2012, saw the release of her track “Circles” produced by DJ Thor, on Chillbar Vol. 3 out through the dance label (Sine Music.)

Musgrave’s newest Solo project “Outflow” produced with Peter Grimmer plus remixes from international DJ producers, affirms her song writing and vocal prowess as a jazzy, soulful, funk, hiphop, dance fusion goddess. It’s a treasure to embrace, with the magic of its first single “Beautiful Music” available online for download and can be ordered from her site, HMV.com, or Amazon.com, also available on itunes.

Get ready for Sharon’s latest remix album entitled “Get Down Wit Cha,” a collaboration with DJ Thor once more. Album is about to be released for download purchase only.

Bamboo Mañalac

Filipino rock icon Bamboo Mañalac was born as Francisco Gaudencio Lope Belardo Mañalac. He is a son of a political legend in Mindanao and comes from an influential Muslim family. He grew up with his mother staying mostly at their home in the northern part of the Philippines.

Born in San Francisco, California on January 19, 1978, Bamboo broke the silence of the Philippine music scene as he became the frontman of the band Rivermary which is composed of Perfecto de Castro on guitars, Mark Escueta on drums, Nathan Azarcon on bass guitar, and Rico Blanco on keyboards and backing vocals. The band was conceptualized by Lizza Nakpil and the award winning Philippine film director Chito Roño. Rivermaya started to hit charts with their self-composed songs “Ulan”, “214”, and “Awit ng Kabataan”. Despite the fame they are into, in 1998, after three successful albums and series of US and Canada concert tours, Bamboo decided to leave the band and stayed at United States to continue his studies.

After the departure of Bamboo, his Rivermaya bandmate Nathan Azarcon also decided to leave the group and joined the band Kapatid. While Bamboo was still in the US, he began to talk to Nathan about the possibility of forming a new band. With Bamboo, Nathan, Ira Cruz, and his friend, Vic Mercado as the members of the band, they debuted in late 2002. “Bamboo” which became the name of the band, was decided for its strength and durability and also to have Filipino feel in it.

Being one of the Philippines’ best music icons, Bamboo being on the band “Bamboo” got nominated and won different music awards. He won Vocalist of the Year at 13th NU Rock Awards (2004-2005) and SOP Pasiklaban (2006). Everyone thought Bamboo band will stand firm until the end but a shocking revelation from KC Montero in his Twitter account last January 10, 2011 leave the fans puzzled as he stated that the band decided to have it quits.

On January 11, 2011, just a day after the rumor of calling it quits, Bamboo published an official statement in the band’s official website. He said, “As a group we’ve come to a point where you have to trust your gut, your heart and your head and accept that all things change. The hardest part as always is to know when to pack it up and part ways. We’ve learned that this journey is not only about us but includes all who came along for the trip. Family, friends and of course our front row believers who were there for the best reason of all. To simply listen. So it didn’t come easy winding down to this decision. So here we go. IT’S OFFICIAL. THE BAND. IT’S OVER.”

Bamboo, after having failures as a member of a band, decided to have a solo career. He released his debut album “No Water, No Moon” consisting of 12 tracks with “Questions” as its career single. The album reached gold in February 2013 after selling more than 7,500 copies.

Projects come in hand as he was also casted on ASAP last February 2013 and confirmed as coach and judge in The Voice of the Philippines and The Voice Kids which is currently airing at ABS-CBN during weekends.

Watch video of interesting Facts about Bamboo.