Nathaniel Ayers facts for kids

Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, Jr. (born January 31, 1951) is an American musician. He became well-known because a newspaper writer wrote about his life. This led to a book and a movie called The Soloist in 2009. A special group called the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation was started in 2008. It helps talented artists who are also dealing with mental illness.

Nathaniel's Early Life and Music

Nathaniel Ayers started playing the double bass when he was in middle school. He was very talented. He went to the famous Juilliard School in New York to study the double bass. However, during his second year, he began to struggle with his mental health. He received help for his illness at that time. Nathaniel was one of the few Black students at Juilliard.

For some years, he lived with his mother in Cleveland, Ohio. He continued to receive treatment for his illness there. After his mother passed away in 2000, he moved to Los Angeles. He thought his father lived there. Nathaniel became homeless and faced challenges due to his schizophrenia. He lived and played music on the streets of Los Angeles.

The Story of The Soloist

Steve Lopez, a writer for the Los Angeles Times newspaper, met Nathaniel Ayers in 2005. They met at Pershing Square in Los Angeles. Lopez soon learned that Nathaniel had studied at Juilliard.

Steve Lopez wrote many newspaper articles about his friendship with Nathaniel. These articles also told the story of Nathaniel's journey from being homeless. Lopez later wrote a book based on their friendship. The book is called The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music.

The book was made into a movie and a play, both titled The Soloist. The movie came out on April 24, 2009. Jamie Foxx played Nathaniel Ayers, and Robert Downey Jr. played Steve Lopez. In the movie, Nathaniel is shown playing the cello, even though he mainly played the double bass. Nathaniel and Steve Lopez's story was also featured on the TV show 60 Minutes on CBS in March 2009.

The Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation

Nathaniel Ayers's sister, Jennifer Ayers-Moore, started a special group called the Nathaniel Anthony Ayers Foundation. She is also the chairwoman of this group. The foundation began in 2008. Jennifer and Nathaniel hope it will help thousands of people.

The foundation wants to keep people aware of mental health issues. It also helps people appreciate how art can help with well-being and treatment. The foundation works with mental health and arts groups. They find and show the work of talented artists. They also give money to groups that share the foundation's goals.