Ramsey Lewis: In Performance and Conversation

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 showcase his early gospel playing and classical training along with his love of jazz and other musical forms. Ramsey Lewis first 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.” Ramsey Lewis is a three-time Grammy Award winner and has seven gold records to his credit. In 2007, he was the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award.