Omaha, NE – Vocalist and pianist Ellis Hall presents a Tribute to Ray Charles with the Omaha Symphony on Saturday, January 14th.
Once dubbed Charles' protege, Hall first met Ray in 2001 while he was playing at a local Christmas party. He gave Charles his CD and the two soon began a friendship that lasted until Charles' death in 2004.
Hall's performance in Omaha will feature some of Ray Charles' most popular songs including "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on my Mind." Hall started learning piano in the third grade at the Perkins School for the Blind.
"They wanted us to practice Classical music, but I wanted to practice Blues music,so I wanted to get into Blues but I really didn't get into music until I was about 14. I snuck into a club, much to the chagrin of my mother, and saw the looks on the faces of the gentlemen that were driving the audience crazy and I said, 'That's what I'm supposed to do.'"
Ellis Hall's Tribute to Ray Charles takes place Saturday, January 14th at 8:00 p.m. in the Holland Center.
Tickets are available at omahasymphony.org.