Charles Lloyd Quartet | en

Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson, Albany, Georgia, September 23, 1930 - Beverly Hills, California, June 10, 2004), was an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, and band leader. As a rock and roll, rhythm & blues, soul, blues, jazz, country and pop musician he helped to shape the sound of rhythm & blues. He brought a soulful sound to everything from country music ("I Can't Stop Loving You") to rock and roll ("Mess Around"), to pop standards to a now-iconic rendition of "America the Beautiful." Frank Sinatra called him "the only genius in the business." Ray Charles was born in Albany, Georgia...

Cher Lloyd (born 28 July 1993) is an English singer and rapper from Malvern, Worcestershire who rose to fame from her part in the reality TV series The X Factor. After the final of The X Factor it was announced that Lloyd had been signed by Syco Music. Songwriter Autumn Rowe and producer RedOne worked on her debut album, scheduled for release in November 2011. The debut single, Swagger Jagger, received its first airplay on 20 June 2011 after it had been leaked onto the internet on 15 June however, this version was later confirmed as only the demo of...

The Modern Jazz Quartet was formed in 1952 by Milt Jackson (vibraphone), John Lewis (piano, musical director), Percy Heath (bass), and Kenny Clarke (drums). Connie Kay replaced Clarke in 1955. Various of the members had played together backing other artists such as Dizzy Gillespie and Ray Brown, and in Jackson's own Quartet. Through their long existence, they have worked with Classical musicians and are known for incorporating elements of Classical music into jazz, being one of the most notable examples of the style called Third Stream. The group disbanded in 1974 and reformed in 1981 on a part-time basis, with...

Charles Mingus (22nd April 1922 – 5th January 1979) was an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist from Los Angeles. He was also known for his activism against racial injustice. Mingus' legacy is notable: he is ranked among the finest composers and performers in jazz, and recorded many highly regarded albums. Dozens of musicians passed through his bands and later went on to impressive careers. His songs - though melodic and distinctive - are not often recorded by later musicians, due in part to their unconventional nature. Mingus was also influential and creative as a bandleader, recruiting talented...

Charles Bradley is no stranger to hard times. Born in Gainesville, Florida in 1948 and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Charles spent the better part of his childhood living on the streets. One of the more optimistic moments of his childhood came in 1962, when his sister took him to see James Brown at The Apollo. Brown’s energy formed a lasting impression on Charles. He went home and immediately began practicing microphone tricks with a broom attached to a string, imitating the Godfather’s every move. With his newfound inspiration came an urgent desire to get off the streets and make...