Ray Charles items given to museum

Ray Charles died in June 2004

Memorabilia belonging to soul legend Ray Charles, including his dark glasses and a Braille keyboard, have been donated to a Washington museum.

Stage costumes owned by the singer, who died last year, are among items donated by his estate to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.

Other pieces include Braille magazines and a chess set for the blind.

Museum director Brent Glass said the items would be used to show how people can contend with their disabilities.

"Ray Charles' life and career are testaments to the enduring value of the American dream, that anyone from any background and with any disability can overcome obstacles and lead a successful life," he said.

The keyboard, marked in Braille, was used by Charles during concert tours in the 1980s and 1990s.

A selection of the items will go on display on 28 October.

Acclaimed biopic

Charles, who was regarded as a pioneer of modern music, died last June at the age of 74.

Left completely blind from glaucoma by the age of seven, he studied at a school for the deaf and blind and decided to become a musician.

In a chart career spanning six decades, he went on to have hits including Georgia on my Mind, Unchain my Heart and I Got a Woman.

The singer's life story was retold in the 2004 movie Ray, with an Oscar-winning performance from Jamie Foxx as the singer and pianist.

Charles' long time manager and friend Joe Adams has donated some of his own memorabilia to the museum, including photographs.

Last month, a post office near the Los Angeles studio where Charles recorded much of his music was renamed after the R&B legend.