Ramsey Lewis
Composer, pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis has been referred to as “the great performer,” a title reflecting his performance style and musical selections which display his early gospel playing and classical training along with his love of jazz.
Chicago native Lewis captivated fans with his first album “Ramsey Lewis and the Gentlemen of Swing” by the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956. By 1965, he was one of the nation’s most successful jazz pianists, topping the charts with “The In Crowd,” “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade In The Water.” He has three Grammy Awards and seven gold records to his credit.
Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of 4. Soon after, he began learning Bach, Beethoven, Hadyn, Brahms and Chopin, and other basic piano repertoire for the concert pianist. He was 15 when a fellow church musician, Wallace Burton, asked him to join his jazz band and took the time to coach and help the young musician learn the language of jazz. The seven-piece group called themselves “The Cleffs” and provided Lewis’ first real involvement with jazz. The emerging Ramsey Lewis Trio had its roots there, comprised of Lewis on piano, Eldee Young on bass and Redd Holt on drums.
In addition to recording albums and performing live, Lewis hosts “The Ramsey Lewis Morning Show” in Chicago. He also hosts the syndicated “Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis.” Active in community efforts, he helped organize the Ravinia Festival’s Jazz Mentor Program and also serves as the Artistic Director for that festival’s jazz series.
Early 2005 saw the formation of the Ramsey Lewis Foundation that helps provide youth with the opportunity to play musical instruments to enhance self-confidence. Lewis currently performs in the United States and abroad with Larry Gray on bass and Leon Joyce on drums. His most current album release is “With One Voice” on the Narada Jazz label released in 2005.
