Ray Charles Is In Town - Chronology 1999

1999

9 January 1999

Whiting Auditorium, Flint MI.

10 January 1999

Invitation-only, $1,000-per-plate Inaugural Committee Dinner for governor George Ryan, Illinois State Fairgrounds, at the Illinois State Armory, Springfield IL.

14 January 1999

Inaugural event at Civic Center, Des Moines IA; opening of the swearing-in of Gov.-elect Tom Vilsack.

22 and 23 January 1999

With the Minnesota Orchestra at Orchestra Hall, Minnesota MN.

February 1999
Gig at unidentified occasion:

Photo by Jason Szenes.

3 February 1999

Working at RPM.

12 February 1999

Awarded Honorary Doctorate by Wilberforce University See this.

Ray's acceptance speech (as offered on Ebay).

13 February 1999

With the Knoxville Pops Orchestra at Coliseum, Knoxville TN.

Undated photos taken in Knoxcille, possibly at this concert.

17 February 1999
DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz of North America, Montvale, N.J., kicks off a 10-city promotion to pre-launch its 2000-model S-Class sedan. Park Avenue Productions, New York, created and produced the invitation-only "S-clusively Yours" events, which included local sports stars, fashion, music by Ray Charles and food from chef Daniel Boulud.
Brouward County CC, Ft Lauderdale FL.

23 February 1999

Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans LA.

25 February 1999

Private concert engagement at the Dallas Market Center, Dallas TX.

6 March 1999

Civic Theatre with Civic Akron Symphony, Akron OH ("brought a little Las Vegas, a touch of mellow fun and a whole bunch of style to the Civic stage").

9 March 1999

Vilar Center for the Arts in Beaver Creek CO.

13 March 1999

Colonial Theatre, Idaho Falls ID.

15 March 1999

Presenter for Billy Joel’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. See this.

17 - 20 March 1999
Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas NV.

17 March 1999

Interviewed by Ed Bernstein. See this.

21 March 1999

Private Function, Las Vegas NV.

27 March 1999

Opening of Pratt Industries Mulligator plant in Conyers.

30 March 1999

In concert with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall.

3 April 1999

4th annual N'Digo Foundation Hall at Orchestra Hall's Symphony Center, Michigan; tickets $50-1$100; $175 for gala.

10 April 1999

Fabulous Fox Theater, St. Louis MO.

15 April 1999
Urban League's 26th Annual Dinner at the Los Angeles Ballroom of the Century Plaza Hotel.

16 and 17 April 1999

Chapman Music Hall, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa OK; with Tulsa Philharmonic; tickets: $15-$70 (17th bootlegged; see this).

21 and 22 April 1999

April Jazz Espoo at the Espoo Cultural.

25 April 1999

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Fair Grounds Race Course, New Orleans LA (billed with Santana, Willie Nelson, and Buckwheat Zydeco). See this. Photo here.

Photo by J. Glenn.

Photos by Michael Sheehan.

28 April 1999

At ASCAP Awards.

 

13 May 1999

Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow UK (bootlegged; possible confusion with concert at Clyde Auditorium; cf. 26 May). See this.

Photo by Marc Marnie, possibly from this concert.

17 May 1999

Concert at New York State Theatre, New York City NY.

19 May 1999

Private engagement in the ballroom of the Ritz Carlton Resort, Amelia Island, Ybor City FL.

20 May 1999

15th Annual Griffin Gala at John Harms Center, Englewood NJ; read this.

26 May 1999

Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow UK (bootlegged); tickets L 15-22.50 ("There was a real momentum to the performance; each number building tension to an almost unbearable pitch"; "Cackling like a sailor with a weekend pass, Charles smiled his way through his entire set. He even managed to grin and sing at the same time"). See this, this, this and this.

With Richard Niles (unknown date & location).

28 to 30 May 1999

Harrah's, Lake Tahoe, Stateline NV.

June or July 1999

At the Sthlm Jazz Fest. See this.

5 and/or 6 June 1999

In concert with Oregon Sympohony.

10 June 1999

Flint Center, Cupertino CA.

11 June 1999

Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa, the Flint Center, Kelseyville CA.

12 June 1999

Marin Center, San Rafael CA.

13 June 1999

Hatch Shell, Boston MA.
21st Annual Playboy Festival, Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood CA ("it's a pleasure to report that Ray Charles vanquished memories of previous auto-pilot appearances here by turning in one of his best Bowl sets ever. The soul sorcerer was really engaged, bearing down for an intensely moving "Just for a Thrill," playing some marvelously funky blues licks and deliciously simulated vibes on his Yamaha keyboard. Do we dare hope for a fruitful Indian summer in the 21st century from Brother Ray?"; see review here). 

Undated photos taken at the Hollywood Bowl, possibly at this concert.

14 June 1999

Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay, San Diego CA.

JVC Festival, New York.

16 June 1999

JVC Newport Jazz Festival, New York.

Poster.

17 June 1999
Celebrity Theater, Phoenix AZ. 

18 June 1999

Janus Jazz Aspen, at Snowmass Village; double bill with Diana Krall opening. But Ray's voice was really gone here. The Ray Charles Orchestra played an extended instrumental 1/2 set, and then the 2nd half of the set featured the band with the Raelettes. After that Diana Krall came back out and did an extra song or 2 to close the show. "Obviously much of the crowd was disappointed to not hear Ray. I think he came out on stage and bowed briefly," Brad Rabuchin recalls. 

19 June 1999

AppleJazz Festival at SUNY Cortland Campus.

25 June 1999

JVC Jazz Festival, Avery Fisher Hall (canceled because of acute laryngitis).

26 June 1999

125th anniversary season at Chautauqua Institution - canceled.

27 June 1999

At M&T Jazz fest, Syracuse - canceled ("Ray Charles has canceled his performance at this year's M&T Bank Jazz Fest - Syracuse. The legendary singer and piano player is booked to play a tour in Europe instead and also has scrapped shows in Baltimore, Buffalo and Pennsylvania. Charles' contract with the Jazz Fest had a 30-day escape clause, exercised by his handlers at the William Morris Agency late last week").

29 June 1999
The Old Driving Range of the Rönnbäcken golf course, near Skellefteå. Also see this.

30 June 1999

Forum de Liège BE, with BBC big band; review here.

Early July 1999

Ray Charles "canceled his show in New York last month because he lost his voice. Mr. Ray Charles is under my care for acute laryngitis," his doctor wrote to concert promoters. "He must be on voice rest for the next week, and will be unable to perform during that time".

For the European gigs following below, Ray just brought his rhythm section (Brad Rabuchin on guitar, Peter Turre on drums and Curt Ohlson on bass). Working for two promoters simultaneously, Ray took 21 shows in 22 or 23 days, a brutish schedule, that made him lose his falsetto - for ever.
Peter Turre wrote: "[...] This was a very difficult tour for Ray, and I gained new perspective on how determined he could be (although it really shouldn't have surprised me). [...] The doctors told him to quit smoking, and take 6 months off. He took ONE. We then went to Europe and did 21 cities in 22 days. It pretty much permanently cost him his upper register/falsetto. The first part of the tour was a week of symphony gigs (Victor Vanacore conducted those) and trio & Raelette gigs with a local big band (I  conducted those [...]). One night while riding back to the hotel in the limo with him, I asked him WHY he was doing this. He said 'Peter, this was booked as a 40th anniversary tour. These people have kept me working for FOURTY years. I OWE them. And I need to keep YOU guys working too.' It was humbling to hear this from a man who had given so much to the world."

At Palais des Sports. Paris (date unknown). Photos by Vladimir Sichov.

2 July 1999

Concert in Lancaster - canceled.

2 July 1999 

In Souvenirs Du Festival De Jazz (air date; footage from 1983). See this.

Vienna Jaz Festival at State Opera house. After Curt Ohlson fell sick (he passed out, and had to be taken away in an ambulance) during a rehearsal, Brad Rabuchin subbed on bass. Photos here. 

Photo by Roland Schlager.

3 July 1999

At the Rheingau Musik Festival, at Schloss Johannisberg, Wiesbaden DE with the HR Big Band (televized), and Brad Rabuchin still subbing on bass. See this.

5 July 1999

Nils Johnson flown in to sub on bass during the rest of the Europe tour.
Concert at Elf Raffinerie, Leuna, Germany. 

7 July 1999
Casablanca VE.

15 July 1999

Molde Jazz Festival, Molde NO with the whole orchestra and The Raelettes. See this.

17 July 1999

At Pori Jazz Festival, in Pori FI; sources suggest that the band performed both on 17 July (on the  Workshop stage), and on 18 July (at Kirjurinluoto), but this is conflicting with the next record.
Musicians: Rudy Johnson, Al Jackson, Craig Bailey, Al Waters, Terrence Goss - saxophone; Ted Murdock, Dave Hoffman, Larry Foyen, Kenny Scharf - trumpet; Michel Guerrier, Dupor D. Georges, Wayne Coniglio, Steve Sigmund - trombone; Bradley Rabuchin - guitar; Nils Johnson - bass; Richmond Taylor - keys; Peter Turre - drums. Raelettes: Estella Yarbrough, Tangy Biggers, Karen Evans, Katrina Harper, Tonette McKinney.

Photo by Juha Metso.

18 July 1999
At Swing In Festival in Deauville FR.

20 July 1999
Arènes de Nîmes, Nîmes FR. With Big Bang, and ?Quartet?

Coll. André Monnot.

Arrival in Nimes, probably for this concert.

Nimes Arena during a (probably this) Ray Charles concert.

21 July 1999

Jazz À Juan, Antibes FR. Photos here and here.

Center court at the Puente Romano Tennis Club, Marbella ES.

24 July 1999

At Second international jazz festival, Plaza de Toros in Alicante ES.

 

28 July 1999

Roma Live Festival, Scalinata del Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro, Roma IT.

Read interview here and here.

Scalinata del Palazzo della Civiltà del Lavoro, Roma.

29 July 1999

Villa Bonin, Vicenza IT.

5 August 1999

Grand Rapids Junior College, Grand Rapids MI.

6 August 1999

Heinz Hall, Pittsburgh ("I heard Ray Charles use the f-word. Twice. And he used it with passion. It happened early in the legendary soul man's performance [...], when he realized a speaker was out in his keyboard setup and nobody seemed to be lifting a finger to fix it, despite repeated calls on Charles' part for someone to find his assistant").

7 August 1999

Westbury Music Fair, Westbury NY.

8 August 1999

Wolf Trap Filene Center, Vienna VA.

Air date of benefit for the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind at the James L. Knight Center with guest Diane Schuur, accompanied by a large symphony orchestra, his own rhythm section plus lead trumpet Steve Sigmund, Roger Ingram (tr) and Dante Luciano (tb); Victor Vanacore was musical director. Sigmund was responsible for providing Ray with a PC88 because his own keyboard did not arrive from LA. See this.

?11? August 1999
Marciac, with rhytm section, David Newman and  Georges Arvanitas. See this.

David Fathead Newman. Photos by Jacques Merle.

12 to 15 August 1999

Bally's Park Place, City Hilton, Atlantic City.
Rehearsal a.e. for new arrangemont of Beatrice by Wayne Caniglio. The band practiced it several times (also at RPM with Ray and he loved it and even made a couple of minor changes. It went into the book as #527, but it was never performed by RC in public. 

14 August 1999
Recording of In The Spur Of The Moment, at Avatar Studios in New York. See this.

18 August 1999

Chastain Park Amphitheater, Atlanta GA.

18 August 1999

Illinois State Fair Grandstand in Springfield.

20 August 1999

Gold Strike Casino Resort (Millennium Theatre), Robinsonville MS; tickets $27.50-$32.50.

21 August 1999

Silver Star Casino, Philadelphia.

22 August 1999

Lake Charles Civic Center, Lake Charles LA.

25 August 1999

Soaring Eagle Casino Concert Hall, Mount Pleasant MI. 

26 August 1999

Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom, Suttons Bay. 

27 August 1999

2nd Madison Blues Festival, Olin Park, Madison.

28 August 1999

Headlined the 14th annual Taste of Blue Ash Festival in Blue Ash.

Signed poster, incl. 'secretary signature' for Ray Charles.

29 August 1999

Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston MI; tickets at $15-$25.

3 September 1999

Madison Blues Fest at Olin-Turville Park.

3 to 5 September 1999

Jesse Jones Hall For Performing Arts, Houston TX.

10 September 1999

Adena Springs Farm, Lexington.

12 September 1999

Rocket from the Crypt,  with Cake, Royal Crown Revue, a.o., at Street Scene 1999, San Diego CA.

15 September 1999

Chateau Ste Michelle Winery Amphitheatre, Woodinville WA. Read review here.

17 and 18 September 1999

Chrysler Hall, Norfolk VA; backed by the Virginia Symphony. 

23 September 1999

Invitation-only concert at Joseph Meyerhoff Hall, Baltimore MDwith Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

29 September to 3 October 1999

Showroom Casino, The Orleans Hotel, Las Vegas NV.

3 October 1999

With Utah Symphony in Salt Lake City UT.

23 October 1999

With Utah Symphony in Salt Lake City ("the ravages of age haven't hurt his voice. To the contrary, they have made it better, Ray Charles-style, taking something that was rough around the edges and making it rough all the way through").

5 or 7 November 1999

Mercedes-Benz Drive for Excellence, fund-raiser in Kansas.

6 November 1999

With Symphony Orchestra in Richmond; tickets $20-$45.

8 November 1999

Concert at Teatro Carlo Felice in Milan IT with the Symphonic Orchestra of Genoa (videotaped). See this.

a/o With Smerald symphonic orchestra at Teatro Carlo Felice in Milan.

(Collection Ezio Drappo).

11 November 1999
In Nice FR, probably for a concert, meeting blind writer Claude Garrandes.

Sharing braille with Claude Garrandes/ 

14 November 1999

Sanremo, 50th anniversary of festival. See this.

16 November 1999

Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Naples FL.

17 November 1999

Broward Center, Fort Lauderdale FL.

19 November 1999

Ruth Eckerd Hall at Richard B. Baumgardner Center for Performing Arts, Clearwater FL; tickets $35-$40. 

22 November 1999

Center For Performing Arts, Gainesville FL.

24 November 1999

Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale FL ("Maybe it was just the night or perhaps just his mood, but Charles sounded something much worse than old last Wednesday: he sounded perfunctory. The incredible range of vocal shadings was there - the indecipherable grunts, moans, and squeals; the keening falsetto; the rich, grizzled baritone that already sounded ancient, or perhaps timeless, 40 years ago - but they were delivered without much evident joy or sorrow"; read review here).

11 December 1999

Cover of and spreads from '99 Japan Tour souvenir brochure.

Kanagawa Kenmin Hall in Yokohama JP; review here.

17 December 1999
Koriyama Bunka Center in Fukushima Prefecture, Koriyama JP.

18 December 1999
Nakano Sun Plaza Hall in Tokyo JP.

19 December 1999
Aichi-ken Geijutsu Gekijo Dai Hall in Nagoya JP.

21 December 1999
Festival Hall in Osaka JP.  

On CNN Evening News' Voices of The Millennium. See this.

22 December 1999
Hokkaido Kosei Nenkin Kaikan in Sapporo JP.

23 December 1999
Hotel Okura in Tokyo JP.

30 December 1999

Opryland Hotel's Grand Celebration 2000, Nashville; with Dolly Parton (4-night package at $1,999).

31 December 1999 - 1 January 2000

In ABC 2000, The Millennium. See this.