Ray Charles handed away in June of 2004, solely 4 months earlier than the discharge of “Ray.” Fortunately, Charles was in a position to absorb an early reduce of the film after offering vocals for the manufacturing. Foxx was in a position to meet Charles and even — honor of honors — play piano with him to show his chops. Foxx recollects the time he and Charles sat all the way down to riff on the music of a legendary jazz and blues musician, and the way Foxx had quite a lot of maintaining. Not that this was embarrassing; who might hold tempo with Ray Charles? It appears, although, that making a mistake on the piano in entrance of Ray Charles will elicit some recommendation. Foxx recalled: 

“We sat down and we began taking part in the blues on the piano after which he moved to some Thelonious Monk, which could be very intricate, for all you piano lovers on the market. And I hit a unsuitable observe. He instantly stopped taking part in and stated, ‘Why the hell would you try this?’ I stated, ‘I am sorry, I used to be making an attempt to maintain up.’ He stated, ‘Do not hit the unsuitable notes … life is about discovering the unsuitable notes, and taking your time to seek out the suitable notes.'”

Foxx discovered the suitable notes. He continued: 

“I performed it, we received it proper, and he received up and stated, ‘The child’s received it,’ and he walked out. After that, we had been off to the races, lovely journey, and we received an opportunity to indicate him the film — he seen it in his personal manner, simply earlier than he handed. It was a blessed expertise.” 

There may be no issues extra exhilarating than receiving a seal of approval from a musician of Charles’ stature.