Issue Date: October 31, 2004
Music Man
Bet you didn't know actor-comedian Jamie Foxx is a classically trained pianist. Now he's generating Oscar buzz by channeling Ray Charles in a new biopic.
By Steven Chean
The first time he met Ray Charles, Jamie Foxx was seated at a piano alongside the legend's own. Together, they played the blues, Ray laying down a riff, Jamie answering with one of his own. Then, the master tossed a curve. "He played Thelonious Monk, which threw me for a minute," Foxx, 36, recalls. "He said, 'It's right underneath your fingers, baby. That's all you have to understand -- everything is right underneath your fingers.' That's basically the metaphor I use for my work now: I have all the tools I need right at my fingertips; what I'm doing is putting those tools to work the best way I know how."
Case in point: Foxx's portrayal of the blind maestro (who died in June) in this weekend's "Ray," a role that's already kicking up Oscar buzz for the versatile actor/comic/musician. While it's his biggest role yet, it's only the latest plum for the kid from Terrell, Texas. He first grabbed Hollywood's attention in drag as the date-challenged she-devil Wanda on the 1990s TV skit-comedy show "In Living Color," which also launched the mega-careers of the Wayans brothers and Jim Carrey. Foxx's rubber-faced transformations hinted at a deeper talent he went on to hone in "The Jamie Foxx Show," which ran for five seasons on the WB network. In 1999, Foxx made the leap to drama with his breakout role as a hotshot quarterback in Oliver Stone's "Any Given Sunday." He got even bigger bounce from his nuanced performance in this past summer's thriller "Collateral," as an unwilling cabby along for the ride with ruthless hit man Tom Cruise.
But music was the first craft of Foxx (real name: Eric Bishop). His apprenticeship began at age 3 with piano lessons, which his grandmother, who reared him, made mandatory. Years later, he won a music scholarship to U.S. International University in San Diego. But the comedy bug bit, and he dropped out for the riskier path that led to television stardom and Hollywood's A-list.
Here, in his own words, Foxx reflects on his ascent and his hopes to return full time to his first love, music:
His daily playlist
I spend at least two hours a day playing my Yamaha baby grand, which gives you a very rich, deep tone. My favorite Ray Charles tune: "Let the Good Times Roll." [shouting] "Hey, y'all, tell everybody/Ray Charles in town!" The way he says it, it makes you think if there'd been a label for hip-hop at that time, that's what hip-hop would've been. [singing] "I got a dollar and a quarter/And I'm just ringing the clock/Don't let no female play me cheap/I got 50 cents more than I'm gonna keep/So let the good times roll." That's hip-hop!
I also like to play "The Star-Spangled Banner," because it's got the coolest changes. It moves me, man. When it gets to the end -- [singing] "... and the rockets' red glare ..." -- it brings a tear to my eye. Ooh!
I was a TV kid, so I know all the theme songs. "Taxi" is my favorite one to play. I love the groove.
His career path
Actor. Comedian. It's all a part of the process: I'm doing this so I can get back to my musical roots and make music. That's why I have a [recording] studio in my house -- the Porsche of studios, with a [Macintosh] G5, Pro Tools [recording and editing software], everything. I've had engineers come in and tune the room. And so far, it's produced a No. 1 hit [last winter] with Twista's "Slow Jamz," recorded in my studio. Right now I'm working on my new album, which is going to come out on my own label [Foxxhole Records]. And I'll play piano on it, too.
Early hero
Richard Tolbert lived across the street from me growing up. Man, he was the smallest guy on the [high school] football team, but he was the quarterback. He taught me edge. Win, not lose. He taught me heart, respect, how to be a Southern gentleman. He asked me, "Are you going to be corny all your life, or are you going to do something?" That stuck out in my mind more than anything. [Class clown Foxx became a star quarterback for his high school.]
Extending your 15 minutes of fame
The reason people [disappear off the Hollywood radar screen] is they don't pick good projects. If I know I got a good joke, I'm gonna kill you. If I got a great song, I'm gonna kill you. If I got a great movie [like "Ray"], I'm more relaxed, because now I can go on "Jay Leno" and not have to lie that this movie is good.
It's about family ...
My two sisters and father live with me. I have to have family around me. Living in L.A. is tough. People will become your friend depending on how great you do. When I was on "In Living Color," everything was great, and then when I wasn't, they were like, "Oh, man, we'll holla at ya later." I know my sisters and father have my back, and that's the only thing that's really gonna matter in the end.
... Laughs ...
[Joking] Remember "Pulp Fiction?" When they were looking in that suitcase that lit up? You know what was in that? My paddle. I'm a ping-pong man; I have a ping-pong table in my living room, and if I had the time I'd play for days straight. Oh, and I keep my paddle in a nice leather case, too. So, like, you don't wanna mess with this.
... And hard work
I can't stand it when a person is lazy. And here's the thing: They have the nerve to ask you for something: "Hey, man, think I can use your ride, brother?" No! Get your own. Ray told me, "The reason people don't have is because they don't work hard to get."
Ain't nothing in this world for free, and it blows my mind how so many fools just don't get that.
Los Angeles-based writer Steven Chean has profiled Missy Elliott, Dave Grohl and Tobey Maguire for USA WEEKEND.
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Oscar at the keyboard
Actors who've earned the gold statuette as pianists onscreen:
2002 Adrien Brody learned to play Mozart for "The Pianist."
1996 Piano-trained Geoffrey Rush won for "Shine" as real-life pianist David Helfgott.
1993 A mute Holly Hunter was passionate about her instrument in "The Piano."
1984 F. Murray Abraham beat co-star and fellow nominee Tom Hulce for "Amadeus."
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Jamie's top 5 romantic songs
A girl, a piano and a desert island make for beautiful music:
1. "Do Me, Baby," Prince. It's the most vivid song I can imagine: "Here we are in this big ol' empty room/Starin' each other down/You want me as much as I want you/Let's stop foolin' around."
2. "Sexual Healing," Marvin Gaye. The music was so sexy and grown-up, he didn't have to take one stitch of clothing off, work out in the gym, or go all over the stage and gyrate. He just held that microphone, and women went nuts!
3. "Always and Forever," Heatwave. Even without any orchestration, it speaks to you. "Each moment with you/Is just like a dream to me," of what my perfect woman would be, my 2.5 children and the wood paneling on the side of my station wagon.
4. "It's All About the Benjamins," P. Diddy. As far as which song's stood the test of time getting you out to the dance floor, it's [this one].
5. "Lady," Lionel Richie. My girl in the seventh grade loved Lionel Richie. I was like, "Maybe if I sounded like him and grew my curl out, I could keep this relationship going." This song was sophisticated.
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