Martin Luther McCoy Sings Ray Charles (San Jose Jazz SummerFest)

About

Bay Area neo-soul pioneer Martin Luther McCoy brings his enigmatic stage presence to a landmark celebration of Ray Charles. A former member of The Roots, McCoy’s 2025 Gospel Choice Music Award-winning single “Peace of Mind” confirms his place among progressive soul’s finest. McCoy moves with equal authority through hip-hop, jazz, singer-songwriter and R&B — a range on full display in his album Love Is the Hero and a recent E-40 NPR Tiny Desk performance that surpassed two million views. The first vocalist ever invited into the SF Jazz Collective, he has what UK Jazz News calls “the knack of turning the room into an intimate setting,” a quality that follows him across every genre and every stage. For this Summer Fest performance, McCoy is joined by saxophonist Howard Wiley for a reimagining of Brother Ray’s most enduring work. Anchored by a pianist to be announced, this power trio promises a Ray Charles suite that is soulful, surprising and absolutely alive.