Ramsey Lewis Explained

Ramsey Lewis
Background:non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Name:Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr.
Birth Date:27 May 1935
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Years Active:1955–2022

Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. (May 27, 1935 – September 12, 2022) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and radio personality. Lewis recorded over 80 albums and received five gold records and three Grammy Awards in his career. His album The In Crowd earned Lewis critical praise and the 1965 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. His best known singles include "The 'In' Crowd", "Wade in the Water", and "Sun Goddess". Until 2009, he was the host of the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show on the Chicago radio station WNUA.

Lewis was also active in musical education in Chicago. He founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation, established the Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program, and served on the board of trustees for the Merit School of Music and The Chicago High School for the Arts.

Life and career

Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. was born on May 27, 1935, in Chicago[1] to Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis and Pauline Lewis. He grew up in the Cabrini–Green Homes Housing Projects, an area native to soul singers Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. Both of his parents came from the Deep South. His father was a church choir director who encouraged him to study music. Thus, Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four with Ernestine Bruce, the church pianist and organist. When he was 11, Bruce recommended he study with Dorothy Mendelssohn at the Chicago Musical College. Mendelssohn taught him classical technique with the philosophy that "it freed the performer from the thinking about the notes so he could concentrate on the music." Lewis realized what she meant when he saw Wynton Kelly with the Miles Davis group, Kelly asked him to play something, and Kelly complimented him by saying "Boy, I wish I had technique."[2] [3]

As a young man, Lewis played with a number of local ensembles, such as Edward Virgil Abner's Knights of Music.[4] Lewis would eventually join a jazz group called the clefs. He later formed the Ramsey Lewis Trio with drummer Isaac "Redd" Holt and bassist Eldee Young.[1] They eventually signed to Chess Records.[5]

In 1956, the trio released their debut album, Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Swing.[6]

Following their 1965 hit, "The 'In' Crowd" (the single reached No. 5 on the pop charts, and the album No. 2), they concentrated more on pop material. Young and Holt left in 1966 to form Young-Holt Unlimited and were replaced by Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White.[1] White left to form Earth, Wind & Fire and was replaced by Morris Jennings in 1970. Later, Frankie Donaldson and Bill Dickens replaced Jennings and Eaton; Felton Crews also appeared on Lewis' 1981 album Three Piece Suite.[7]

By 1966, Lewis was one of the nation's most successful jazz pianists, having had hits with "The In Crowd", "Hang On Sloopy", and "Wade in the Water." All three singles each sold over one million copies and were awarded gold discs.[8] In the 1970s, Lewis often played electric piano, although by later in the decade he was sticking to acoustic piano and using an additional keyboardist in his groups.[9]

In addition to recording and performing, Lewis hosted the weekly syndicated radio program Legends of Jazz, created in 1990, syndicated by United Stations Radio Networks.[10] He also hosted the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show on Chicago "smooth jazz" radio station WNUA (95.5 FM). In December 2006, this morning show became part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other smooth jazz stations across the country until its cancellation in May 2009, when WNUA switched over to a Spanish format.[11]

Ramsey founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation, which promoted musical instrument education to children, in 2005.[12]

In 2006, a well-received 13-episode Legends of Jazz television series hosted by Lewis was broadcast on public TV nationwide and featured live performances by a variety of jazz artists including Larry Gray, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joey Defrancesco, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Kurt Elling, Benny Golson, Pat Metheny, and Tony Bennett.[13]

Lewis was artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia (an annual feature at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois) and helped organize Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program.[14] Ramsey also served on the board of trustees for the Merit School of Music and The Chicago High School for the Arts.[15]

Distinctions, honors, awards

Lewis was an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.[16] In May 2008, Lewis received an honorary doctorate from Loyola University Chicago upon delivering the keynote address at the undergraduate commencement ceremony.

In January 2007, the Dave Brubeck Institute invited Lewis to join its Honorary Board of Friends at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California.[17] Lewis was an Honorary Board member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.[18]

Personal life

From 1954 to 1988, Lewis was married to Geraldine Taylor (1935–2005), with whom he had seven children. In 1990, he married Jan Tamillow. His sisters, Gloria Johnson (1941–2021) and Lucille Jackson (1932–2012), served as music minister and co-pastor respectively, at the James Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Maywood, Illinois. On September 12, 2022, Lewis passed away in his sleep at his home in Chicago at age 87.[19] [20] [21] [22] [23]

Discography

Albums

YearTitlePeak chart positionsLabel
US
US R&B
US Jazz
UK
1956Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Swingalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Argo
1958Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Jazz, Volume 2align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1958Lem Winchester and the Ramsey Lewis Trioalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1959Down to Earth (The Ramsey Lewis Trio Plays Music from the Soil)align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―EmArcy
An Hour with the Ramsey Lewis Trioalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Argo
1960Early in the Morning (Lorez Alexandria with the Ramsey Lewis Trio)align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Stretching Outalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
The Ramsey Lewis Trio in Chicagoalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1961More Music from the Soilalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Never on Sundayalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Sound of Christmasalign=center 129align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1962The Sound of Springalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Country Meets the Bluesalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Bossa Novaalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1963Pot Luckalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Barefoot Sunday Bluesalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1964Bach to the Bluesalign=center 125align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
The Ramsey Lewis Trio at the Bohemian Cavernsalign=center 103align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
More Sounds of Christmasalign=center 8align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1965You Better Believe Me (with Jean DuShon)align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
The In Crowdalign=center 2align=center 1align=center ―align=center ―
Hang On Ramsey!align=center 15align=center 4align=center ―align=center 20Cadet
Choice! The Best of the Ramsey Lewis Trio (compilation)align=center 54align=center 9align=center ―align=center ―
1966Wade in the Wateralign=center 16align=center 2align=center ―align=center ―
The Movie Albumalign=center 124align=center 5align=center ―align=center ―
Goin' Latinalign=center 95align=center 16align=center 2align=center ―
1967Dancing in the Streetalign=center 59align=center 16align=center 3align=center ―
Up Pops Ramsey Lewisalign=center 52align=center 25align=center 7align=center ―
1968Maiden Voyagealign=center 55align=center 14align=center 3align=center ―
Mother Nature's Sonalign=center 156align=center 10align=center 3align=center ―
Ramsey Lewis Live in Tokyoalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1969Encore! Ramsey Lewis in Tokyo (Vol. 2)align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Chess/Victor (Japan)
Another Voyagealign=center 139align=center 34align=center 5align=center ―Cadet
The Piano Playeralign=center 157align=center ―align=center 9align=center ―
1970Them Changesalign=center 177align=center 34align=center 4align=center ―
1971Back to the Rootsalign=center 163align=center 25align=center 3align=center ―
1972The Grooveralign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
The Best of Ramsey Lewis (compilation)align=center 172align=center ―align=center 5align=center ―
Upendo Ni Pamojaalign=center 79align=center 9align=center 1align=center ―Columbia
1973Funky Serenityalign=center 117align=center ―align=center 4align=center ―
Ramsey Lewis' Newly Recorded All-Time Non-Stop Golden Hitsalign=center 198align=center 50align=center 32align=center ―
1974Solar Windalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 29align=center ―
Sun Goddessalign=center 12align=center 1align=center 1align=center ―
Solid Ivoryalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Cadet
1975Don't It Feel Goodalign=center 46align=center 5align=center 3align=center ―Columbia
1976Salongoalign=center 77align=center 17align=center 7align=center ―
1977Love Notesalign=center 79align=center 31align=center 7align=center ―
Tequila Mockingbirdalign=center 111align=center ―align=center 3align=center ―
1978Legacyalign=center 149align=center ―align=center 10align=center ―
1979Ramseyalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 21align=center ―
1980Routesalign=center 173align=center 51align=center 7align=center ―
1981Blues for the Night Owlalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Three Piece Suitealign=center 152align=center 52align=center 10align=center ―
1982Ramsey Lewis Live at the Savoyalign=center ―align=center 50align=center 12align=center ―
Chance Encounteralign=center ―align=center ―align=center 16align=center ―
1983Les Fleursalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 10align=center ―
Reunionalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1984The Two of Us (with Nancy Wilson)align=center 146align=center 42align=center 5align=center ―
1985Fantasyalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1987Keys to the Cityalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 22align=center ―
1988Classic Encounteralign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1989We Meet Again (with Billy Taylor)align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Urban Renewalalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1992Ivory Pyramidalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 7align=center ―GRP
1993Sky Islandsalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 4align=center ―
1995Urban Knights Ialign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1996Between the Keysalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 17align=center ―
1997Urban Knights IIalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1998Dance of the Soulalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 11align=center ―
1999Appassionataalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 5align=center ―Narada
2000Urban Knights IIIalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
2001Urban Knights IValign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
2002Meant to Be (with Nancy Wilson)align=center ―align=center ―align=center 3align=center ―
2003Urban Knights Valign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
Simple Pleasures (with Nancy Wilson)align=center ―align=center ―align=center 9align=center ―
2004Time Fliesalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 10align=center ―
2005Urban Knights VIalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
With One Voicealign=center ―align=center ―align=center 12align=center ―
2009Songs from the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramseyalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Concord
2011Taking Another Lookalign=center ―align=center ―align=center 13align=center ―Hidden Beach
2019Urban Knights VIIalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Ropeadope
2021Manha de Carnavalalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Above Ground
2022The Beatles Songbookalign=center ―align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―Steele
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsCertifications
US Pop
[24] 		US R&B
US Dance
UK
[25]
1964"Something You Got" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio)align=center 63align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1965"The 'In' Crowd" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio)align=center 5align=center 2align=center ―align=center ―
"Jingle Bells" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio)align=center 21align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
"Hang On Sloopy" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio)align=center 11align=center 6align=center ―align=center ―
1966"Winter Wonderland"align=center 23align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
"Wade in the Water"align=center 19align=center 3align=center ―align=center 31
"Up Tight"align=center 49align=center 30align=center ―align=center ―
"Hi-Heel Sneakers"align=center 70align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
"A Hard Day's Night"align=center 29align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1967"Soul Man"align=center 49align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
"One, Two, Three"align=center 67align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
"Day Tripper"align=center 74align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
"Dancing in the Street"align=center 84align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1968"Since You've Been Gone"align=center 98align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1969"Julia"align=center 76align=center 37align=center ―align=center ―
1972"Slipping into Darkness"align=center ―align=center 44align=center ―align=center ―
1973"Kufanya Mapenzi (Making Love)"align=center 93align=center ―align=center ―align=center ―
1975"Sun Goddess" (with Earth, Wind & Fire)align=center 44align=center 20align=center 5align=center ―
"Hot Dawgit" (with Earth, Wind & Fire)align=center 50align=center 61align=center ―align=center ―
1976"What's the Name of This Funk (Spider Man)"align=center 69align=center 50align=center 6align=center ―
"Don't It Feel Good"align=center —align=center 99align=center ―align=center ―
"Brazilica"align=center —align=center 88align=center ―align=center ―
1977"Spring High"align=center —align=center 85align=center ―align=center ―
1981"So Much More"align=center —align=center 93align=center ―align=center ―
1982"You Never Know"align=center —align=center 64align=center ―align=center ―
1985"This Ain't No Fantasy"align=center —align=center 88align=center 48align=center ―
1987"7–11"align=center —align=center 67align=center ―align=center ―
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

As sideman

With Max Roach

With Jimmy Woode

With Young/Holt

Awards and recognitions

Grammy history

Ramsey Lewis Grammy Awards History
YearCategoryTitleGenreLabelResultSource
1965Best Jazz Performance – Small Group or
Soloist with Small Group		"The In Crowd"JazzArgo/Chess[30]
1965Record of the Year"The In Crowd (Single)"Argo/Chess
1966Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance –
Vocal or Instrumental		"Hold It Right There"R&BChess
1973Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance"Hang On Sloopy"R&BMCA

Certifications

Albums
YearTitleCertificationLabelSource
1965The In CrowdUS RIAA: GoldArgo
1966Hang On Ramsey!US RIAA: GoldCadet
1966Wade in the WaterUS RIAA: GoldCadet
1968Sound of ChristmasUS RIAA: GoldArgo
1976Sun GoddessUS RIAA: GoldColumbia

Recognition

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Colin. Larkin. Colin Larkin (writer). Virgin Books. 1997. Concise. 1-85227-745-9. 752.
  2. Turning the Corner from Classics to Jazz: An Interview with Ramsey Lewis by Elyse Mach, The Instrumentalist, volume 77, number 2, October/November 2022, article originally printed in Clavier magazine in 1998.
  3. Web site: Lewis . Pete . Ramsey Lewis: Heart warming . 2024-01-14 . . January 6, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160106125140/http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/517/ramsey_lewis_heart_warming/ . dead .
  4. Book: Youngquist , Paul . A Pure Solar World: Sun Ra and the Birth of Afrofuturism . . Discovering America . 2016 . 32 . English . 9780292726369 . 2016005943 . 10.7560/726369.
  5. Web site: Aufderheide . Anne . An Interview with Ramsey Lewis . August 9, 2023 . Smoothviews.com.
  6. Web site: Fukushima . Gary . August 15, 2023 . Review: Ramsey Lewis–Gentleman of Jazz . August 9, 2023 . DownBeat.
  7. Web site: Felton Crews – Chicago Bassist . feltoncrews.com . September 13, 2022.
  8. Book: Murrells , Joseph . 1978. The Book of Golden Discs. 2nd. Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. London. 192, 193 & 207. 0-214-20512-6. registration.
  9. Web site: Blickenstaff . Jacob . Ramsey Lewis: Life is Good. All About Jazz. September 13, 2022 . en . September 13, 2022.
  10. Web site: United Stations – Shows | Legends of Jazz. Unitedstations.com.
  11. News: WNUA Swings to Spanish Format. Chicago Tribune. May 22, 2009. Phil. Rosenthal.
  12. News: Rice . Ruth . Jazz legend: Ramsey Lewis bringing 'In Crowd' to Pasquerilla . The Tribune-Democrat. September 13, 2022 . en.
  13. Web site: On Air – Smooth Jazz WNUA 95.5 – Chicago. https://web.archive.org/web/20080918230558/http://www.wnua.com/pages/jocks.html?feed=133987&article=1496293. dead. September 18, 2008.
  14. Web site: Ravinia Festival. https://web.archive.org/web/20070817163037/http://www.ravinia.org/Support/staff.aspx. dead. August 17, 2007.
  15. Tamarkin . Jeff . Ramsey Lewis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award . JazzTimes. September 13, 2022.
  16. Web site: Honorary Members . Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity . September 13, 2022.
  17. Web site: Langan . Michael D. . Commentary: A favorite jazz pianist – Ramsey Lewis . NBC2 News . September 13, 2022 . July 22, 2022.
  18. Web site: Brodsky . Rachel . Ramsey Lewis, Chicago Jazz Great, Dies At 87 . Stereogum. September 13, 2022 . en . September 12, 2022.
  19. Web site: Zee . Michaela . September 12, 2022 . Ramsey Lewis, Legendary Jazz Pianist Known for 'The In Crowd,' Dies at 87 . September 13, 2022 . Variety . en-US.
  20. Web site: Ramsey Lewis, Jazz Pianist Who Became a Pop Star, Dies at 87. The New York Times. September 12, 2022. September 13, 2022.
  21. Web site: Seymour . Gene . Ramsey Lewis, the pop chart's favorite jazz pianist, dies at 87 . NPR . September 13, 2022 . en . September 12, 2022.
  22. News: Schudel . Matt . Ramsey Lewis, pianist with crossover hit "The 'In' Crowd," dies at 87 . September 13, 2022 . The Washington Post. September 13, 2022.
  23. Web site: Leroux . Charles . February 7, 2007 . Metromix. RAMSEY'S RHYTHMS . 2024-01-14 . Chicago Tribune. https://web.archive.org/web/20070306122009/http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/news/celebrity/mmx-0702040496feb04,0,4741404.story?coll=mmx-celebrity_heds . March 6, 2007 .
  24. Web site: Ramsey Lewis – Awards. AllMusic. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20131103012013/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ramsey-lewis-mn0000334770/awards. November 3, 2013.
  25. Web site: RAMSEY LEWIS – full Official Chart History. Official Charts Company. September 13, 2022.
  26. Web site: Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd. bpi.co.uk. September 13, 2022.
  27. Book: Cook . Richard . Richard Cook (journalist) . Morton . Brian . Brian Morton (Scottish writer) . . 2008 . 9th . . 978-0-141-03401-0 . 1221.
  28. Web site: Dryden, K.. The Colorful Strings of Jimmy Woode: AllMusic Review. . September 18, 2012.
  29. Web site: Eldee Young / Red Holt – Feature Spot. Discogs.
  30. Web site: Ramsey Lewis . November 23, 2020 . Grammy.com.
  31. Web site: March 1, 2007 . Ramsey Lewis . January 13, 2024 . . en-US.
  32. Web site: Smithies . Grant . May 18, 2016 . Chicago jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis says life is good! . January 13, 2024 . Stuff.
  33. Web site: Rice . Ruth . March 8, 2007 . Jazz legend: Ramsey Lewis bringing 'In Crowd' to Pasquerilla . October 31, 2011 . The Tribune-Democrat.
  34. Web site: 2007 NEA Jazz Master: Ramsey Lewis. Arts.gov.
  35. Web site: Legendary Landmarks Gala . Landmarks.org . October 31, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110928144859/http://www.landmarks.org/events_gala.htm . September 28, 2011 .

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