RAY CHARLES - RAY CHARLES' CLARINETIST DIES BEFORE FESTIVAL SHOW

RAY CHARLES' CLARINETIST DIES BEFORE FESTIVAL SHOW

RAY CHARLES' former clarinet player ALVIN BATISTE died from a heart attack yesterday (06May07), hours before he was set to take to the stage for a show in New Orleans, Louisiana. The 74-year-old jazz great was set to perform with Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis at the New Orleans Jazz + Heritage Festival when he fell ill and passed away. He gave his last performance on Saturday (05May07) at the FestForAll event in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Batiste was considered one of the founders of the modern jazz scene in New Orleans. As well as performing with Charles, Marsalis, Billy Cobham and Cannonball Adderley, Batiste was also renowned for his teachings, and he founded the Batiste Jazz Institute, where he taught jazz improvisation. His students included Marsalis, Donald Harrison, Charlie Singleton, Woodie Douglas, among others. Batiste's most famous recording came out in the 1980s when he joined Jimmy Hamilton, John Carter and David Murray for the Clarinet Summit. He also received acclaim for his 1988 album Bayou Magic. Batiste is survived by his wife Edith Chatters Batiste, three children, a sister and 12 grandchildren.