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At Copley Square Park
On the Radio - Real Audio
Chiefly responsible for establishing Chicago jazz in the 1960s, Ramsey Lewis was born in the Windy City May 27, 1935 and was seduced by the piano by age nine. By 13 he decided he would become a concert pianist based on his love for classical music. However, as he began playing for his church choir, gospel also crept into Ramsey's early life. And when in high school another church musician, Wallace Burton, invited Ramsey to join his seven piece jazz band, The Cleffs, the die was cast.
See full concert schedule
Thursday, June 26
5:30 p.m.
FREE
The Rose - Real Audio
While attending Chicago Musical College, he formed the Gentlemen of Swing (later called the Ramsey Lewis Trio) with The Cleff's old rhythm section, Eldee Young (bass) and Redd Holt (drums). Their weekend gig caught the attention of an influential deejay, who convinced blues record company owner Phil Chess to expand into jazz and sign the trio. Their first Chess album was released in 1956. Ramsey's love for music was now spread between playing European classical music, America's classic music, jazz and gospel music.
By the mid-60s, Ramsey was one of the most successful popular jazz pianists in the country, hitting the pop singles charts four times since 1965 and 1966 with The In Crowd, (which reached #5), covers of rock classics Hang on Sloopy, A Hard Day's Night, and Wade in the Water. Three of these singles, as well as the albums Sounds of Christmas (1961) and later Sun Goddess (1975), went gold and Ramsey won performance Grammys for The In Crowd, Hold it Right There, and Hang on Sloopy.
At the height of their fame, the original trio broke up, with Young and Holt giving way to Cleveland Eaton (bass) and Maurice White (drums), who would later achieve superstardom of his own as leader of Earth, Wind and Fire. Cleveland Eaton went on to become the permanent and present bassist with the Count Basie Band. This new trio continued with unparalleled success throughout the 60's.
In the early 80's, Ramsey went back to the trio format, reuniting for a time with Young and Holt. He now changes his formats regularly, between trio, quartet and quintet, to duets with Billy Taylor to solo recitals to suit the venue and occasion.
