Sven Hammond Big Band plays Ray Charles

In 2022, Sven Hammond delivered a delightful set during the Clubnight of our jazz festival: So What's Next?. In September, he returns to the Hertog Jan Hall of Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, accompanied by his Big Band and orchestra, to present a swinging program celebrating the legend, 'Brother Ray' Charles. Expect not only his world-famous hits like 'Georgia', 'Hit The Road Jack', and 'Hallelujah', but also beautiful arrangements of other contemporaries transformed into timeless classics by Brother Ray.

Ray Charles was a pioneer in the soul music genre in the 1950s, blending blues, jazz, rhythm-and-blues, and gospel in the music he recorded for Atlantic Records. Charles was one of the first Black musicians to have artistic freedom at a major record label. He did not have an easy life: growing up in extreme poverty, becoming blind at a very young age, and struggling with various addictions. His fascinating life story is naturally featured in this performance. "Sven Hammond Big Band plays Ray Charles" is a musical theater show that will keep you on your feet and is not to be missed.