The Soloist Assignment #3

Biography of Nathaniel Ayers most important character in the book "The Soloist."

Nathaniel Ayers born on January 22, 1951 is a well-known musician all over the world thanks to the book entitled "The Soloist." Starting out as a child Ayers played the double bass and continued this while studying at Julliard. Being at Julliard was of a great significance for Ayers because he was one of the very few people of African American race there. While at Julliard he suffered from a mental breakdown in his sophomore year and was later place in an institution. As he continued his life at the institution he received electro-shock therapy for his illness. After being released from the institution he was sent home and continued living his life with his mother in Chicago, whom died not to long afterword in 2000. After his mother dies, Nathaniel moved to Los Angelos, California with the belief that his father lived there. When he arrived in Los Angelos his could not find his father no matter where he looked and he was forced to live homeless and with the illness schizophrenia. Living life on the streets as a homeless person was very hard and stressful for Ayers but he was able to make a living playing either a violin or a cello, either for pay, enjoyment for passbyers, or personal pleasure. Ayers had one sibling who was able to be contacted and that was his sister Jennifer Ayers-Moore and she now serves as the chairwoman and the founder of the national Nathaniel Ayers Foundation. This organization was started in 2008 and its aim is to help others with illnesses similar to what Nathaniel has.