Stevie Wonder was a big fan of Charles

Artists sang Charles' hits including Georgia On My Mind and What I'd Say.

Host Bill Crosby told the audience at the Beverly Hills Hotel that Charles "lived more lives than any 900 of you".

Producer Quincy Jones and country singer Travis Tritt also attended the charity event on Wednesday. Charles died of liver failure in June aged 73.

Money raised will go to a black liberal arts college in Atlanta, Morehouse College Center, which Charles donated $2m (�1.1m) to during his lifetime.

Ray Charles is considered a music legend

Cosby shared some of his memories of the singer during the concert, recalling a jazz festival when the blind star appeared on stage with a band of all white musicians.

"I said to Ray: 'Your band is all white.' He said: 'That's funny. They don't sound white.'"

Charles played 10,000 concerts during a 58-year career and was considered a pioneer of soul music.

He recently worked on a CD of duets with performers such as Sir Elton John, Norah Jones and Johnny Mathis.

His last public appearance was alongside Clint Eastwood on 30 April in Los Angeles.