RAMSEY LEWIS 75TH BIRTHDAY CONCERT

Lewis performed on Friday, September 3 at 8:30 pm with long-time collaborators Larry Gray (bass) and Leon Joyce (drums). It is a concert of firsts: the first time the trio has presented a free concert in Chicago, and the first time in more than a decade that the ensemble has performed in a downtown Chicago location, and the first time since 1984 Lewis has performed at the Jazz Fest, chicagojazzfestival.us. And the first time Ramsey Lewis had a birthday that the whole city of Chicago came out for.

Lewis first captivated fans with his debut album "Ramsey Lewis and The Gentlemen of Swing" by the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956. 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." More than 80 albums later, he is embarking on the latest phase of his career, as a composer. Lewis is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award, four honorary doctorate degrees and numerous other accolades including seven gold records and three Grammy Awards.

The Chicago Jazz Festival is the longest running of the city's lakefront music festivals. For more than 30 years, the Chicago Jazz Festival has been a Labor Day weekend tradition. Know for its artistic creativity, the Chicago Jazz Festival promotes awareness and appreciation for all form of jazz through quality live musical performances. The festival's mission is to showcase Chicago's vast jazz talent alongside national and international artists to encourage and educated a jazz audience of all ages. In addition to the Ramsey Lewis Trio, this year's performers include: Nicole Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Brad Mehldau, Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band, Rene Marie, The Either/Orchestra, Kurt Elling and more
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