Ray Brown was a very popular and famous African-American jazz bassist and cellist born in Pittsburgh. He started taking lessons when he was just eight years old and Jimmy Blanton was one of his main role models. He was one of the first Black persons to perform in many popular places in Pittsburgh. He worked with some very popular musicians including Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson. Ray Brown later married Ella Fitzgerald. Even though Ray Brown was not part of the civil rights movement he managed to show the world through his example that Black people are very talented and that they can create high-quality music. In 2001, one year before his death, Ray Brown received the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art. He also got a Grammy for Gravy Waltz composition.
http://www.npr.org/event/music/443414636/ray-brown-on-piano-jazz
