"If I had focused on sax instead of singing and playing piano, I would have wanted to sound like ‘Fathead’," Ray Charles told an interviewer in 1977. "’Fathead’ has the sound, the soul and the melodic mind that make him a jazz giant. He was an important part of my music, and I'm happy I met him so early on." This was Ray Charles' spoken tribute to David Newman. Now, David Newman pays tribute to his former boss in his latest HighNote disc, "I Remember Brother Ray." Featuring eight tunes David played with Ray Charles at the height of his popularity, David and sidemen Steve Nelson on vibes, John Menegon on bass, Winard Harper on drums, and John Hicks ably filling the piano seat, this is at once a touching, swinging and heart-felt tribute from one jazz great to another.

with Steve Nelson, vibes; John Hicks, piano; John Menegon, bass; Winard Harper, drums .

Tracks: Hit the Road Jack; Georgia On My Mind; When Your Lover Has Gone; Drown in My Tears; Deed I Do; It Had To Be You; Ruby; Them That Got.

 Hit the Road Jack

 Deed I Do

 It Had To Be You

 Ruby