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Nathaniel Ayers

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In 'The Soloist,' Sean Daly makes his mark
Apr 25th, 2009 - Los Angeles Times
In the credits of " The Soloist," Sean Daly is identified as the "hand of Nathaniel Ayers." Played by Jamie Foxx in the film, the character of Ayers is based on the homeless...
Newspaper columnist takes stage in "The Soloist"
Apr 25th, 2009 - Reuters
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Feature film "The Soloist" opened Friday with a story of music, schizophrenia and homelessness that newspaper columnist Steve Lopez witnessed...
Review: Downey a virtuoso in 'The Soloist'
Apr 24th, 2009 - CNN
Jamie Foxx as a mentally ill musician takes to the streets of Los Angeles in "The Soloist." He's not performing for the public. If he has an audience in mind at all, it's...
Downey's role provides reality check
Apr 23rd, 2009 - Boston
Back when he was filming "The Soloist" last spring, Robert Downey Jr. felt poised for something big. "Iron Man" and "Tropic Thunder" were about to be released. Buzz was building about career resurrection and massive box office potential.
Foxx is no ‘Ray' of light in ‘The Soloist'
Apr 23rd, 2009 - BostonHerald
A “Saturday Night Live” skit in the making, “The Soloist” mashes up “Rain Man,” “Shine,” “Ray” and a smoked ham named Jamie Foxx.

Nathaniel Ayers videos from YouTube:

12:42
Mr. Lopez Meets Mr. Ayers
Nathaniel Ayers, a mentally ill musical virtuoso, was discovered living on the streets by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez. Morley Safer reports on the unbreakable bond between them.
3:59
The Soloist: Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers
Steve Lopez celebrates Beethoven's birthday with Nathanial Anthony Ayers and members of the LA Philharmonic at the Los Angeles Times.
3:06
Exclusive: Mr. Ayers Performs
Take a moment to enjoy his talents, accompanied by pianist Joanne Pearce-Martin.
2:24
JAMIE FOXX GOES SOLO WITH FOX ALL ACCESS
FOX All Access caught up with Jamie Foxx about his new movie which is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers. Watch as Jamie FOXX talks about playing the Cello and much more. Check it out! ... "Jamie FOXX" "Chris Leary" "The Soloist" "Fox All Access" "Jamie Foxx Interview" "Nathaniel Ayers"

Nathaniel Ayers from WikiPedia:

Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Jr. (born January 22, 1951) is an American musician. He is the subject of numerous newspaper columns, a book, and a 2009 film adaptation based on the columns. A foundation bearing his name was started in 2008 with an aim to support artistically gifted people with mental illness.

Ayers began playing the double bass[citation needed] during middle school. He attended the Juilliard School in New York on a scholarship as a double bassist, but suffered a mental breakdown during his second year and was institutionalized. Ayers was one of the few black students at Juilliard at that time.

For some years he lived with his mother in Cleveland, Ohio, where he received electroshock treatment for his illness to no avail. After his mother's death in 2000, he moved to Los Angeles, California, thinking that his father lived there. Homeless and schizophrenic, Ayers lived on the streets of Los Angeles and made a meager living playing half-broken instruments (such as the violin and cello) on street corners for change.