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Ramsey Lewis is the quintessential Chicago musician, with a style that reflects the diversity of the Chicago scene. His playing blends his gospel roots and his classical training with jazz, creating a synthesis that has led to a very successful career. |
Ramsey Lewis was born in Chicago, Ill., on May 27, 1935. He began studying the piano at age four, learning the classical repertoire. He also played piano and accompanied singers at the Baptist church that his family attended. A fellow church musician first introduced Lewis to jazz, inviting him to join a band of local musicians called "the Cleffs." The rhythm section included bassist Eldee Young and drummer Redd Holt, forming the basis of what would become the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Lewis also began working on record sessions with such notable jazz players as Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, and Max Roach.
By 1965, Lewis was one of the best known and most popular jazz pianists on the scene, thanks in large part to his cover of Dobie Gray's "The In Crowd." The song made it to No. 5 on the Billboard charts. It was followed by another hit, a jazz version of "Hang On Sloopy," which reached No. 11. Lewis went on to a long successful career of touring and recording hit albums, with 30 of them making the Billboard Top 200 list.
Though known as a jazz pianist, Lewis has never lost his interest in the classical music he learned as a child, nor the gospel music that informed his youth. All of these elements can be heard in Lewis's playing to this day. In addition to playing live, recording albums, and backing singers like Nancy Wilson, Lewis hosts two radio programs: the weekday morning drive-time show on WNUA in Chicago, and a syndicated program, Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis.
Set List for Ramsey Lewis on Piano Jazz:"Body and Soul" (Green, Heyman, Sour)
"Classical Dreams" (Benny Golson)
"Second Thoughts" (Lewis)
"In the Days of Our Love" (McPartland)
Free piece (McPartland, Lewis)
"Portrait of Ramsey Lewis" (McPartland)
"Chicago Blues" (McPartland, Lewis)
Ramsey Lewis Site
By 1965, Lewis was one of the best known and most popular jazz pianists on the scene, thanks in large part to his cover of Dobie Gray's "The In Crowd." The song made it to No. 5 on the Billboard charts. It was followed by another hit, a jazz version of "Hang On Sloopy," which reached No. 11. Lewis went on to a long successful career of touring and recording hit albums, with 30 of them making the Billboard Top 200 list.
Though known as a jazz pianist, Lewis has never lost his interest in the classical music he learned as a child, nor the gospel music that informed his youth. All of these elements can be heard in Lewis's playing to this day. In addition to playing live, recording albums, and backing singers like Nancy Wilson, Lewis hosts two radio programs: the weekday morning drive-time show on WNUA in Chicago, and a syndicated program, Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis.
Set List for Ramsey Lewis on Piano Jazz:
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