Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. (May 27, 1935 – September 12, 2022) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and radio personality. Lewis recorded over 80 albums and received five gold records and three Grammy Awards in his career.
Also recorded as Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. · Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis, Jr. · Ramsey Emanuel Lewis
Ramsey Lewis

Tomas Forgac Bratislava, Slovakia · Ramsey Lewis · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Ramsey Lewis
- Birth Name
- Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr.
- Born
- 27 May 1935
- Died
- 12 September 2022
- Birthplace
- Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
- Occupation
- * Composer
- Nationality
- United States.
- Fields
- jazz.
- Education
- DePaul University, Wells Community Academy High School, Chicago College of Performing Arts and Crystal Lake Central High School.
- Honours
- NEA Jazz Masters.
- Languages
- English.
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Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. (May 27, 1935 – September 12, 2022) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and radio personality. Lewis recorded over 80 albums and received five gold records and three Grammy Awards in his career.
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wikidata · Q1936300 · wikipedia · Ramsey Lewis
In this article
Biography
Biography
His album The In Crowd earned Lewis critical praise and the 1965 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Performance. His best known singles include "The 'In' Crowd", "Wade in the Water", and "Sun Goddess". Until 2009, he was the host of the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show on the Chicago radio station WNUA. Lewis was also active in musical education in Chicago. He founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation, established Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program, and served on the board of trustees for the Merit School of Music and The Chicago High School for the Arts.
Ramsey Lewis studied at DePaul University, Wells Community Academy High School and Chicago College of Performing Arts. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is jazz. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz, jazz fusion, jazz-funk and pop music. Distinctions recorded are NEA Jazz Masters.

Ramsey Lewis poses with a KPLU Leadership Circle member following a live performance in the KPLU Seattle Studios on October 16, 2009. Photo by Justin Steyer / KPLU
KPLU Radio · originally posted to Flickr as KPLU In-Studio Performance: Ramsey Lewis
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ramsey Lewis • Birth Name — Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. • Born — 27 May 1935 • Died — 12 September 2022 • Birthplace — Chicago, Illinois, U.S. • Place of death — Chicago, Illinois, U.S. • Instrument — * Piano • Genre — * Jazz • jazz-funk • pop • Occupation — * Composer • pianist • radio personality • Years Active — 1955–2022 • Label — * Cadet • Columbia • GRP • Narada • Concord • Hidden Beach • Website — https: www.ramseylewis.com/
Life and career
Life and career
• Illustration — Lewis performing at JazzFe 2006 Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr. was born on May 27, 1935, in Chicago to Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis and Pauline Lewis. He grew up in the Cabrini–Green Homes Housing Projects, an area native to soul singers Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. Both of his parents came from the Deep South. His father was a church choir director who encouraged him to study music. Thus, Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four with Ernestine Bruce, the church pianist and organist. When he was 11, Bruce recommended he study with Dorothy Mendelssohn at the Chicago Musical College. Mendelssohn taught him classical technique with the philosophy that "it freed the performer from the thinking about the notes so he could concentrate on the music." Lewis realized what she meant when he saw Wynton Kelly with the Miles Davis group, Kelly asked him to play something, and Kelly complimented him by saying "Boy, I wish I had technique." As a young man, Lewis played with a number of local ensembles, such as Edward Virgil Abner's Knights of Music. Lewis would eventually join a jazz group called the Clefs. He later formed the Ramsey Lewis Trio with drummer Isaac "Redd" Holt and bassist Eldee Young. They eventually signed to Chess Records. In 1956, the trio released their debut album, Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Swing. Following their 1965 hit, "The 'In' Crowd" (the single reached No. 5 on the pop charts, and the album No. 2), they concentrated more on pop material. Young and Holt left in 1966 to form Young-Holt Unlimited and were replaced by Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White. White left to form Earth, Wind & Fire and was replaced by Morris Jennings in 1970. Later, Frankie Donaldson and Bill Dickens replaced Jennings and Eaton; Felton Crews also appeared on Lewis' 1981 album Three Piece Suite. By 1966, Lewis was one of the nation's most successful jazz pianists, having had hits with "The In Crowd", "Hang On Sloopy", and "Wade in the Water." All three singles each sold over one million copies and were awarded gold discs. In the 1970s, Lewis often played electric piano, although by later in the decade he was sticking to acoustic piano and using an additional keyboardist in his groups. In addition to recording and performing, Lewis hosted the weekly syndicated radio program Legends of Jazz, created in 1990, syndicated by United Stations Radio Networks. He also hosted the Ramsey Lewis Morning Show on Chicago "smooth jazz" radio station WNUA (95.5 FM). In December 2006, this morning show became part of Broadcast Architecture's Smooth Jazz Network, simulcasting on other smooth jazz stations across the country until its cancellation in May 2009, when WNUA switched over to a Spanish format. Ramsey founded the Ramsey Lewis Foundation, which promoted musical instrument education to children, in 2005. 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 including Larry Gray, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joey Defrancesco, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Kurt Elling, Benny Golson, Pat Metheny and Tony Bennett. Lewis was artistic director of Jazz at Ravinia (an annual feature at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois) and helped organize Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program. Ramsey also served on the board of trustees for the Merit School of Music and The Chicago High School for the Arts.
Personal life
Personal life
From 1954 to 1988, Lewis was married to Geraldine Taylor (1935–2005), with whom he had seven children. In 1990, he married Jan Tamillow. Lewis died in his sleep at his Chicago home on September 12, 2022 at age 87.
Albums
Albums
• Year — Title — Peak chart positions — Label • US — US R&B — US Jazz — UK • 1956 — Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Swing — ― — ― — ― — ― — Argo • 1958 — Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Jazz, Volume 2 — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1958 — Lem Winchester and the Ramsey Lewis Trio — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1959 — Down to Earth (The Ramsey Lewis Trio Plays Music from the Soil) — ― — ― — ― — ― — EmArcy • An Hour with the Ramsey Lewis Trio — ― — ― — ― — ― — Argo • 1960 — Early in the Morning (Lorez Alexandria with the Ramsey Lewis Trio) — ― — ― — ― — ― • Stretching Out — ― — ― — ― — ― • The Ramsey Lewis Trio in Chicago — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1961 — More Music from the Soil — ― — ― — ― — ― • Never on Sunday — ― — ― — ― — ― • Sound of Christmas — 129 — ― — ― — ― • 1962 — The Sound of Spring — ― — ― — ― — ― • Country Meets the Blues — ― — ― — ― — ― • Bossa Nova — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1963 — Pot Luck — ― — ― — ― — ― • Barefoot Sunday Blues — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1964 — Bach to the Blues — 125 — ― — ― — ― • The Ramsey Lewis Trio at the Bohemian Caverns — 103 — ― — ― — ― • More Sounds of Christmas — 8 — ― — ― — ― • 1965 — You Better Believe Me (with Jean DuShon) — ― — ― — ― — ― • The In Crowd — 2 — 1 — ― — ― • Hang On Ramsey! — 15 — 4 — ― — 20 — Cadet • Choice! The Best of the Ramsey Lewis Trio (compilation) — 54 — 9 — ― — ― • 1966 — Wade in the Water — 16 — 2 — ― — ― • The Movie Album — 124 — 5 — ― — ― • Goin' Latin — 95 — 16 — 2 — ― • 1967 — Dancing in the Street — 59 — 16 — 3 — ― • Up Pops Ramsey Lewis — 52 — 25 — 7 — ― • 1968 — Maiden Voyage — 55 — 14 — 3 — ― • Mother Nature's Son — 156 — 10 — 3 — ― • Ramsey Lewis Live in Tokyo — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1969 — Encore! Ramsey Lewis in Tokyo (Vol. 2) — ― — ― — ― — ― — Chess/Victor (Japan) • Another Voyage — 139 — 34 — 5 — ― — Cadet • The Piano Player — 157 — ― — 9 — ― • 1970 — Them Changes — 177 — 34 — 4 — ― • 1971 — Back to the Roots — 163 — 25 — 3 — ― • 1972 — The Groover — ― — ― — ― — ― • The Best of Ramsey Lewis (compilation) — 172 — ― — 5 — ― • Upendo Ni Pamoja — 79 — 9 — 1 — ― — Columbia • 1973 — Funky Serenity — 117 — ― — 4 — ― • Ramsey Lewis' Newly Recorded All-Time Non-Stop Golden Hits — 198 — 50 — 32 — ― • 1974 — Solar Wind — ― — ― — 29 — ― • Sun Goddess — 12 — 1 — 1 — ― • Solid Ivory — ― — ― — ― — ― — Cadet • 1975 — Don't It Feel Good — 46 — 5 — 3 — ― — Columbia • 1976 — Salongo — 77 — 17 — 7 — ― • 1977 — Love Notes — 79 — 31 — 7 — ― • Tequila Mockingbird — 111 — ― — 3 — ― • 1978 — Legacy — 149 — ― — 10 — ― • 1979 — Ramsey — ― — ― — 21 — ― • 1980 — Routes — 173 — 51 — 7 — ― • 1981 — Blues for the Night Owl — ― — ― — ― — ― • Three Piece Suite — 152 — 52 — 10 — ― • 1982 — Ramsey Lewis Live at the Savoy — ― — 50 — 12 — ― • Chance Encounter — ― — ― — 16 — ― • 1983 — Les Fleurs — ― — ― — 10 — ― • Reunion — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1984 — The Two of Us (with Nancy Wilson) — 146 — 42 — 5 — ― • 1985 — Fantasy — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1987 — Keys to the City — ― — ― — 22 — ― • 1988 — Classic Encounter — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1989 — We Meet Again (with Billy Taylor) — ― — ― — ― — ― • Urban Renewal — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1992 — Ivory Pyramid — ― — ― — 7 — ― — GRP • 1993 — Sky Islands — ― — ― — 4 — ― • 1995 — Urban Knights I — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1996 — Between the Keys — ― — ― — 17 — ― • 1997 — Urban Knights II — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1998 — Dance of the Soul — ― — ― — 11 — ― • 1999 — Appassionata — ― — ― — 5 — ― — Narada • 2000 — Urban Knights III — ― — ― — ― — ― • 2001 — Urban Knights IV — ― — ― — ― — ― • 2002 — Meant to Be (with Nancy Wilson) — ― — ― — 3 — ― • 2003 — Urban Knights V — ― — ― — ― — ― • Simple Pleasures (with Nancy Wilson) — ― — ― — 9 — ― • 2004 — Time Flies — ― — ― — 10 — ― • 2005 — Urban Knights VI — ― — ― — ― — ― • With One Voice — ― — ― — 12 — ― • 2009 — Songs from the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey — ― — ― — ― — ― — Concord • 2011 — Taking Another Look — ― — ― — 13 — ― — Hidden Beach • 2019 — Urban Knights VII — ― — ― — ― — ― — Ropeadope • 2021 — Manha de Carnaval — ― — ― — ― — ― — Above Ground • 2022 — The Beatles Songbook — ― — ― — ― — ― — Steele • "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Singles
Singles
• Year — Title — Peak chart positions — Certifications • US Pop — US R&B — US Dance — CAN — UK • 1964 — "Something You Got" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio) — 63 — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1965 — "The 'In' Crowd" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio) — 5 — 2 — ― — 6 — ― — * BPI: Silver • "Jingle Bells" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio) — 21 — ― — ― — ― — ― • "Hang On Sloopy" (as the Ramsey Lewis Trio) — 11 — 6 — ― — 37 — ― • 1966 — "Winter Wonderland" — 23 — ― — ― — ― — ― • "Wade in the Water" — 19 — 3 — ― — 32 — 31 • "Up Tight" — 49 — 30 — ― — 50 — ― • "Hi-Heel Sneakers" — 70 — ― — ― — ― — ― • "A Hard Day's Night" — 29 — ― — ― — 11 — ― • 1967 — "Soul Man" — 49 — ― — ― — 64 — ― • "One, Two, Three" — 67 — ― — ― — ― — ― • "Day Tripper" — 74 — ― — ― — ― — ― • "Dancing in the Street" — 84 — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1968 — "Since You've Been Gone" — 98 — ― — ― — 100 — ― • 1969 — "Julia" — 76 — 37 — ― — ― — ― • 1972 — "Slipping into Darkness" — ― — 44 — ― — ― — ― • 1973 — "Kufanya Mapenzi (Making Love)" — 93 — ― — ― — ― — ― • 1975 — "Sun Goddess" (with Earth, Wind & Fire) — 44 — 20 — 5 — ― — ― • "Hot Dawgit" (with Earth, Wind & Fire) — 50 — 61 — ― — ― — ― • 1976 — "What's the Name of This Funk (Spider Man)" — 69 — 50 — 6 — ― — ― • "Don't It Feel Good" — — — 99 — ― — ― — ― • "Brazilica" — — — 88 — ― — ― — ― • 1977 — "Spring High" — — — 85 — ― — ― — ― • 1981 — "So Much More" — — — 93 — ― — ― — ― • 1982 — "You Never Know" — — — 64 — ― — ― — ― • 1985 — "This Ain't No Fantasy" — — — 88 — 48 — ― — ― • 1987 — "7–11" — — — 67 — ― — ― — ― • "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
As sideman
As sideman
With Max Roach • MAX (Argo, 1958) With Jimmy Woode • The Colorful Strings of Jimmy Woode (Argo, 1957) With Young/Holt • Feature Spot (Cadet, 1967)
Grammy history
Grammy history
• Year — Category — Title — Genre — Label — Result — Source • 1965 — Best Jazz Performance – Small Group or Soloist with Small Group — The In Crowd — Jazz — Argo/Chess • 1965 — Record of the Year — "The 'In' Crowd" — Argo/Chess • 1966 — Best Rhythm & Blues Group Performance – Vocal or Instrumental — "Hold It Right There" — R&B — Chess • 1973 — Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance — "Hang On Sloopy" — R&B — MCA
Certifications
Certifications
Albums • Year — Title — Certification — Label — Source • 1965 — The In Crowd — US RIAA: Gold — Argo • 1966 — Hang On Ramsey! — US RIAA: Gold — Cadet • 1966 — Wade in the Water — US RIAA: Gold — Cadet • 1968 — Sound of Christmas — US RIAA: Gold — Argo • 1975 — Sun Goddess — US RIAA: Gold — Columbia
Recognition
Recognition
• 1997: Ramsey Lewis was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln (the state's highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in the area of The Performing Arts. • 2002: Lewis participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay, lighting the cauldron for its brief stop in Chicago. • 2004: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist. • 2006: 22nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Best Gospel Instrumental Album, (With One Voice) • 2007: National Endowment for the Arts, Jazz Masters Award • 2007: Landmarks Illinois, Legendary Landmark Award, as one of living treasures of Illinois. "Just like our landmarked buildings, our three Legendary Landmarks have been critical to the civic well-being of Chicago and stand as a testimony to the greatness of our cultural integrity" said David Bahlman, president of Landmarks Illinois.
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 1 entries
2022
Ramsey Lewis died at Chicago.
Distinctions, honors, awards
Distinctions, honors, awards
Lewis was an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. In May 2008, Lewis received an honorary doctorate from Loyola University Chicago upon delivering the keynote address at the undergraduate commencement ceremony. In January 2007, the Dave Brubeck Institute invited Lewis to join its Honorary Board of Friends at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, California. Lewis was an Honorary Board member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra.
Awards and recognitions
Awards and recognitions
• Illustration — Lewis performing live in the KPLU studio in October 2009 The Grammy Awards are bestowed annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Lewis has received three awards out of four nominations.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Virgin Books. The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music. 752. 1997. 1-85227-745-9.
- 2.Turning the Corner from Classics to Jazz: An Interview with Ramsey Lewis by Elyse Mach, The Instrumentalist, volume 77, number 2, October/November 2022, article originally printed in Clavier magazine in 1998.
- 3.Lewis, Pete. Ramsey Lewis: Heart warming. Blues & Soul.
- 4.Youngquist, Paul. A Pure Solar World: Sun Ra and the Birth of Afrofuturism. University of Texas Press. 32. 2016. 9780292726369.
- 5.Aufderheide, Anne. An Interview with Ramsey Lewis. Smoothviews.com.
- 6.Fukushima, Gary. Review: Ramsey Lewis–Gentleman of Jazz. DownBeat. August 15, 2023.
- 7.Felton Crews – Chicago Bassist. feltoncrews.com.
- 8.Show 50 – The Soul Reformation: Phase three, soul music at the summit. [Part 6]. Digital.library.unt.edu.
- 9.Murrells, Joseph. The Book of Golden Discs. Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. 192, 193 & 207. 1978. 0-214-20512-6.
- 10.Blickenstaff, Jacob. Ramsey Lewis: Life is Good. All About Jazz. September 13, 2022.
- 11.United Stations – Shows | Legends of Jazz. Unitedstations.com Dead link. August 2025.
- 12.Rosenthal, Phil. WNUA Swings to Spanish Format. Chicago Tribune. May 22, 2009.
- 13.Rice, Ruth. Jazz legend: Ramsey Lewis bringing 'In Crowd' to Pasquerilla. The Tribune-Democrat.
- 14.On Air – Smooth Jazz WNUA 95.5 – Chicago.
- 15.Ravinia Festival.
- 16.Tamarkin, Jeff. Ramsey Lewis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award. JazzTimes.
- 17.Honorary Members. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
- 18.Langan, Michael D. Commentary: A favorite jazz pianist – Ramsey Lewis. NBC2 News. August 2025.
- 19.Brodsky, Rachel. Ramsey Lewis, Chicago Jazz Great, Dies At 87. Stereogum. September 12, 2022.
- 20.Zee, Michaela. Ramsey Lewis, Legendary Jazz Pianist Known for 'The In Crowd,' Dies at 87. Variety. September 12, 2022.
- 21.Ramsey Lewis, Jazz Pianist Who Became a Pop Star, Dies at 87. The New York Times. September 12, 2022.
- 22.Seymour, Gene. Ramsey Lewis, the pop chart's favorite jazz pianist, dies at 87. NPR. September 12, 2022.
- 23.Schudel, Matt. Ramsey Lewis, pianist with crossover hit "The 'In' Crowd," dies at 87. The Washington Post. September 13, 2022.
- 24.Leroux, Charles. Metromix. RAMSEY'S RHYTHMS. Chicago Tribune. February 7, 2007.
- 25.AllMusic. Ramsey Lewis – Awards.
- 26.Official Charts Company. RAMSEY LEWIS – full Official Chart History.
- 27.Ramsey Lewis Trio – The In Crowd. bpi.co.uk.
- 28.Cook, Richard. The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings. Penguin. 1221. 2008. 978-0-141-03401-0.
- 29.Dryden, K. The Colorful Strings of Jimmy Woode: AllMusic Review. AllMusic.
- 30.Eldee Young / Red Holt – Feature Spot. Discogs. 1967.
- 31.The Recording Academy. Ramsey Lewis.
- 32.Grammy.com. Ramsey Lewis. November 23, 2020.
- 33.Ramsey Lewis. The Kennedy Center. March 1, 2007.
- 34.Smithies, Grant. Chicago jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis says life is good!. Stuff. May 18, 2016.
- 35.Rice, Ruth. Jazz legend: Ramsey Lewis bringing 'In Crowd' to Pasquerilla. The Tribune-Democrat. March 8, 2007.
- 36.2007 NEA Jazz Master: Ramsey Lewis. Arts.gov.
- 37.Landmarks.org. Legendary Landmarks Gala.
References
Citations
References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
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