Ramsey Lewis: jazzman extraordinaire

RAMSEY LEWIS must be the hardest-working man in jazz. At an age when many are longing for a rocking chair and a porch swing, the legendary composer, pianist and jazz icon is doing some rocking and swinging of his own--on television--hosting a new series, Legends of Jazz: The Jazz Masters, on PBS-TV, which is set to debut in January.

The native Chicagoan also swings Chicago's morning drive with his own top-rated smooth jazz radio program on WNUA-FM, and a syndicated radio show in the afternoon called "Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis" that airs in more than 65 cities. He also records and performs 30 to 40 live concerts annually worldwide and is active in community efforts, especially with youth. Lewis helped organize the Ravinia Festival's Jazz Mentor Program and also serves as the artistic director for that Illinois festival's jazz series. Additionally, he is also launching the Ramsey Lewis Foundation to connect at-risk children to the world of music. Out of that foundation he plans to form his own Youth Choir and Youth orchestra.

"These years are the best years of my life," he says with an exuberant laugh. Lewis adds that he is very excited about the new TV venture. Each program will have a set theme and will feature Lewis and his trio performing with guests. Lewis also performs the show's theme.

It is the first time in 40 years, observers note, since the late Oscar Brown Jr. hosted Jazz Scene U.S.A. that jazz has been the focus of a national network weekly TV show. Lewis says while the show will feature legends, he plans to include "young and current participants" in the musical genre as well. And he and his partners, Larry Rosen and Lee Rosenberg, plan to release a series of DualDiscs that contain the TV program on one side and jazz audio recordings matching the theme of the particular show on the other.

Known for his technical virtuosity and sumptuous styling, Lewis' long career is already the stuff of legend. He has three Grammy Awards and seven gold records. He first began piano lessons at age 4 and seriously studied classical music until his teen years, playing in church and then joining a jazz band in high school. "Jazz soon became a major force in my musical life, but European classical and gospel music were of almost equal importance," he says.

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." This fall Lewis plans to release his first gospel album, featuring young gospel stars like Smokie Norful, Darius Brooks and Donald Lawrence.

Other future projects include a solo piano recital and a solo album--something he has never done. The piano legend, who is happily married to his "lovely and wonderful wife, Jan," has seven children, 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. And he has no plans to retire.

"When I was in my 30s and 40s, and I would run into Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louie Armstrong when they were in their 60s, I would say to myself, ' wonder why they are out here.' Now, I'm 70 years old and I know why--because this is what you do. I take it moment-by-moment, day-by-day and hour-by-hour. Life is just wonderful."

COPYRIGHT 2005 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group