Sadly one of Jazz’s true greats passed away September 12th. The incomparable Ramsey Lewis was a composer, pianist, and radio personality. Lewis recorded over 80 albums, received five gold records and three Grammy Awards. His album The In Crowd won him the 1965 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. Ramsey was best known for hits with "The In Crowd", "Hang On Sloopy",[7] and "Wade in the Water." All three singles each sold over one million copies and were awarded gold discs. Lewis hosted the weekly syndicated radio program Legends of Jazz and his nationally syndicated Ramsey Lewis Morning Show.
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. Ramsey founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation, which promoted musical instrument education for children, in 2005. In remembrance of his great talent, let’s close the music out for this show with two of his biggest hits. First up is Wade In The Water featuring longtime Ramsey Lewis Trio drummer Maurice White who later founded the group Earth Wind And Fire followed by The In Crowd recorded live at the famous Bohemian Caverns in Washington DC.
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