A Tribute to the Great Ray Charles: Ellis Hall, Oregon Symphony

[BLIND AMBITION] Some tribute acts resort to silly wigs and fake accents in what amounts to Halloween karaoke. The Oregon Symphony’s doing the notion one better with a Ray Charles tribute, in which it has actually blinded a man and sat him down at the piano. OK, Carlos Kalmar didn’t gouge out Ellis Hall’s eyes. In fact, the accomplished pianist was one of Ray’s actual protégés, so it’s a safe bet his impression of the master’s going to be spot-on and include a little bit of his own personality. And you really can’t ask for a better backing band than the Symphony, which excels at being shticky—especially when it’s playing masterpieces from the Charles canon rather than, say, the theme from Zelda.   

Where: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
Phone: 248-4335
Address: 1037 SW Broadway
Website: www.pcpa.com