William Paterson University Presents Forever Ray, a Tribute to Ray Charles, on February 25

Forever Ray, a musical tribute to pianist, singer, composer, bandleader, and ground-breaking entertainer Ray Charles, will be presented at William Paterson University in Wayne on Saturday, February 25, at 8 p.m. in the Shea Center for Performing Arts on the campus in Wayne. The performance is part of William Paterson University’s Black History Month celebration.

Tickets are $40 for Gold Circle, $35 for orchestra, $35 for loge, and $30 for rear loge. There is a 10 percent discount available for senior citizens and William Paterson University faculty, staff, alumni, and students. There is an additional $5 charge per ticket for tickets purchased at the box office on the evening of the show.

Forever Ray features the exciting and uplifting music of Ray Charles, the American musician who was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz, and country music. The show brings his timeless hits to life including: “I Got A Woman,” "Hallelujah I Love Her So,” "I Can't Stop Loving You,” "Georgia on My Mind,” “What’d I Say,” and “Unchain My Heart,” among others.

Members of Forever Ray have performed with Ray Charles, Alicia Keys, Warren Haynes, Lettuce, Rod Stewart, The Blues Brothers, Stevie Wonder, the Harlem Gospel Choir, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, and The Temptations. The band features Whitley Shulton, lead vocals; Angela Workman, vocals, Chyna Grant, vocals, Samantha Joy, vocals, Mitchell Endick, baritone saxophone, Baron Raymonde, alto saxophone, Tim Ouimette, trumpet, John Farnsworth, tenor saxophone, Yayoi Ikawa, keyboards, Bobby Deitch, drums/musical director), and Joe Macaro, bass.

This year's William Paterson University Black History Month celebration theme is "Black Resistance: Pride, Power, Persistence," highlighting stories of strength, advocacy, and change through the focal lens of economics, culture, religion, and politics.

For information or tickets, call the Shea Center Box Office at 973-720-2371 or visit wp-presents.org.

02/17/23