MUSIC

The Houston Symphony presents a Tribute to Ray Charles,  Friday-Saturday, May 27-28 at 8pm and Sunday, May 29 at 7:30pm in Jones Hall.

“Let the Good Times Roll” with Ellis Hall (pictured) as he performs the best of Ray Charles. A former protégé of Charles, Hall pays tribute to his friend in a concert dedicated to his music and memory with hits like “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and “Hit the Road Jack.”

Artists:
Michael Krajewski, conductor
Ellis Hall

Ellis Hall is a multi-instrumentalist virtuoso and dynamic vocalist born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in Boston; he has performed and recorded with a literal who's who of musical elite including, Patti LaBelle, George Benson, John Mayer, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, The Temptations, Earth Wind & Fire, The Spinners, Natalie Cole, Michael McDonald, Ray Charles, Brian McKnight, James Taylor, George Duke, Huey Lewis and the News, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Bobby Womack, James Ingram and Stevie Wonder.

In the earlier days of his career Hall was featured as a lead vocalist performing with Kenny G. on his debut hit single, "What Does it Take." He then joined the soul-stirring group Tower Of Power as lead vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter, arranger, and producer and enjoyed tremendous success as a member of the multi-platinum group, The California Raisins.

Hall has been featured in the award winning TV shows including, "The Wonder Years," The 75th Oscars "Chicago" segment with Catherine Zeta Jones and Queen Latifah at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, as well as Sesame Street Live. Some of his film credits include "Big Momma's House" with Martin Lawrence as well as Steven Spielberg's "Catch Me If You Can" starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Hall has performed in commercials, voice-overs and jingles including but not limited to the NFL TV and Radio Campaign, McDonalds, Budweiser, Colt 45, Lexus of Glendale, KTWV L.A. Radio, the Beetle Juice Universal Studio Tours, Baron-A Bug Way at Disney's California Adventure.

He also has been a featured vocalist on soundtracks ranging from the TV series "West Wing" and "NYPD Blue" to films such as "Lion King II," "Chicken Run," "Bruce Almighty," "A Day Without A Mexican," and "Polar Express."

Introduced as his protege by none other than Ray Charles at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Hall has returned to the center several times and regularly appears with major symphonies. He appeared with the LA Philharmonic in its 75th birthday tribute to Ray at the Hollywood Bowl as well as on the BET/Concord Records Television Special "Jammin for Ray" and has the distinct pleasure of being the only other artist besides Mr. Charles to be signed to the Ray Charles Label.