'[Ray Charles] virtually invented soul music', as Rolling Stone put it. And as the title of his 1960 album indicated so eloquently: genius + soul = jazz. From a dirt poor childhood, battling poverty and blindness, Ray Charles reached the ranks of American musical master while still in his twenties.

Versatile, innovative, crusading and breathtakingly assured as arranger, composer, pianist and vocalist, even whilst battling his sometimes debilitating personal demons, Charles' sophisticated fusing of blues, gospel, country and soul captivated and united lovers of popular music from all walks of life from the 1950's until his passing in 2004.

In this perceptive and insightful documentary, Ray Charles' contemporaries - such legendary luminaries as Quincy Jones, Billy Joel, Dizzy Gillespie, Willie Nelson, Hank Crawford and biographer David Ritz - expound on the greatness of his triumphant musical legacy. Performances of 'Georgia On My Mind', 'I Got A Woman', 'I Can't Stop Loving You' and many more, plus archive footage including Louis Jordan, Count Basie, Muddy Waters, Quincy Jones and Nat 'King' Cole bare witness to the pure talent, intense commitment and impeccable sense of style Ray Charles imparted on the world of jazz and music as a whole.