Presented as a part of the Newark 350 Celebration and as an extension of the TD NJPAC James Moody Jazz Festival, A Portrait of Ray takes audiences on an exhilarating journey back to 1967 at the height of Ray Charles’ career. Set during a homecoming concert in Greenville, Florida, this “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Soul” pioneer freely shares his life’s journey.  From becoming blind at the age of seven, to witnessing the deaths of both his brother and mother by the age of 15-Ray had no shortage of tragedies in his life; but through his resilience and his extraordinary talent, found his voice and used it as an instrument for social change.