Ray Charles’ story is remarkable, certainly worthy of a biopic. Born into extreme poverty, he was taught piano by a café owner who used to look after Ray and his brother George. Ray’s life suffered the double trauma of the accidental drowning of his brother and the loss of his sight in the space of a few years.

His mother fought hard to send him to a deaf-blind school though, where he was taught how to read Braille, including Braille music. Reading classical piece with his left hand while learning the right and then switching over to read with his right hand the left hand. At 14 years old, his mother died he had no choice but to leave school and earn money from his piano playing.

There’s scope for an incredible discussion of Ray’s life and the challenges he overcame, or just play some of his amazing songs and introduce your class to a musical genius.

-Bill