Iconic jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis has died at age 87.
The news was confirmed in a statement that noted the musical legend died peacefully at his home in Chicago on Monday.
"Ramsey's passion for music was truly fueled by the love and dedication of his fans across the globe," his wife Jan Lewis said. "He loved touring and meeting music lovers from so many cultures and walks of life. It was our family's great pleasure to share Ramsey in this special way with all those who admired his God-given talents. We are forever grateful for your support."
Born in Chicago on May 27, 1935, Lewis grew up in the Cabrini Green housing projects. He learned to play the piano at age 4 and honed his skills while performing in a band for the church where his father was a choir director.
While attending Wells High School, Lewis joined The Clefs, which was formed by fellow students and played a unique blend of jazz and R&B. The group disbanded after the draft for the Korean War claimed multiple members. Those who remained from The Clefs, including Lewis, went on to form the classic Ramsey Trio.
The trio released their debut album, "Ramsey Lewis and His Gentlemen of Jazz," on the Chess label in 1956. Three years later, they were invited to perform at Birdland in New York. The gig led to performances at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Village Vanguard, and recordings with Max Roach, Clark Terry, and Sonny Stitt.
Lewis' career exploded in 1965, with the release of his crossover smash hit "The In Crowd," which was followed by two more chart-toppers, "Hang on Sloopy" and "Wade in the Water." He would later collaborate with Maurice White and members of Earth, Wind & Fire for his "Sun Goddess" album.
Lewis won three Grammys over the duration of his decades-long career, and "The In Crowd" was placed in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Most recently, Lewis was working on a new album, "The Beatles Songbook: The Saturday Salon Series, Volume One," which will be released Nov. 11 by Steele Records. He also spent the final year of his life working on his memoir "Gentleman of Jazz" with his co-writer Aaron Cohen. The book will be released via Blackstone Publishing in 2023.
Lewis is survived by his wife, five children, and a host of grandchildren.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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