Charles Brown was an influential American blues singer and pianist whose smooth, laid-back style helped shape the development of cool blues and R&B. His mellifluous voice and sophisticated piano playing were key elements of his signature sound, which can be heard on hit tracks such as "Driftin' Blues" and "Merry Christmas Baby." Brown's style significantly influenced a generation of blues musicians, including Ray Charles and Floyd Dixon. Despite his death in 1999, his contributions to the blues genre maintain his enduring significance in music history.