The genius that was Ray Charles lives on in his musical legacy, a fervent combination of blues, gospel, country and jazz that redefined 20th Century American popular music and gave birth to soul music in the process. For this special one off show, the powerhouse 12-piece SMO will feature special guest Lachlan Doley on Hammond and vocals, digging deep into the soul of classic hits like What'd I Say and Georgia On My Mind.

Ray Charles cut some of the all-time classic American recordings of the 20th Century, right up there with the likes of Aretha, Hank, Coltrane and Miles in terms of influence and sheer brilliance. His work crossed genres with ease, creating new categories as he went... even his soulful take on country and western broke new ground. But it's his 1950s sessions for the Atlantic label that really established his reputation and continue to be the bedrock of his ongoing influence and fame. Working with small combos and larger ensembles, he brought the church right into the bar-room, giving birth to proto-soul and even rock music. (incidentally, Ray Charles was in the first ever Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame list of inductees).

Anyone who knows Lachlan Doley's work will see straight away that tonight's gig with the SMO is a marriage made in heaven. Nobody does the soulful jazz thing better. Add backing singers Trish Delaney-Brown and Virna Sanzone and of course the all star SMO led by tenor saxist James Ryan (can't wait to hear those David 'Fathead' Newman blues licks), plus charts based on the Count Basie Orchestra's setting for Ray Charles' 1973 concert tour, and this is one helluva tribute to a musical genius that'll surely do justice to the man's memory.

'a collection of Sydney's best and brightest and that rare bird: a large ensemble bristling with astonishing soloists that play as an ensemble, as one.' - John Hardaker (www.jazz-planet.com)

THE BAND:
LACHY DOLEY: Vocals and Hammond Organ
TRISH DELANEY-BROWN & VIRNA SANZONE: Back up vocals
WARWICK ALDER, SIMON FERENCI & RAY CASSAR: Trumpets
JAMES RYAN, AARON MICHAEL,SEAN COFFIN & KIM LAWSON: Saxophones
GREG COFFIN: Piano
KARL DUNNICLIFF: Bass
GORDON RYTMEISTER: Drum

PLEASE NOTE:

TICKET SALES
Should online tickets be unavailable for sale in the purchasing section above, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 for ticket availability.

DINNER BOOKINGS
For all Dinner bookings, please contact the venue on (02) 9328 4411 prior to purchasing tickets in the section above.

TIMES
DOORS OPEN at 7.00PM
DINNER SERVICE COMMENCES at 7.30PM
MUSIC STARTS around 9.30PM

AGE RECOMMENDATIONS
This venue is 18+ recommended, so if you are under 18 and would like to come to the show, please call (02) 9328 4411 for further information.