The illustrious American keyboardist, a child prodigy who began showcasing his exceptional musical talents at the tender age of six. Ramsay's early education in classical music at the esteemed Chicago College of Music and De Paul University was geared towards a promising career as a concert pianist. However, by the time he reached the age of sixteen, his aspirations had shifted, and he joined the Clefs, a renowned seven-piece jazz band.
As a key member of this ensemble, Ramsay went on to form the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956, recruiting the talented drummer Isaac 'Redd' Holt and bassist Eldee Young to complete the trio. Their first notable hit, 'Something You Got', was released in 1964, but it was their 1965 Grammy Award-winning instrumental rendition of Dobie Gray's 'The In-Crowd' that truly catapulted them to stardom, reaching an impressive number five on the U.S. charts. Their subsequent release, 'Hang on Sloopy', also achieved significant commercial success, peaking at number eleven.
The trio's success was short-lived, as they eventually disbanded, but Ramsay reformed the group with a new lineup, enlisting drummer Maurice White (later of Earth, Wind & Fire fame) and bassist Cleveland Eaton. This revamped trio went on to enjoy further popular success with the Afro-American spiritual-inspired 'Wade in the Water' and the Grammy-winning 'Hold it Right There'.
Maurice White departed the group in 1971, but not before collaborating with Ramsay on his classic jazz album Sun Goddess, released by Columbia Records in 1974. Although Ramsay later experimented with various rhythms and genres, he was unable to recapture the commercial success of his earlier years. In the 1980s, he accompanied the renowned vocalist Nancy Wilson, and subsequently hosted jazz programs on the radio.
From 1995 to 1999, Ramsay was a member of the Urban Knights, a jazz collective that boasted an impressive roster of alumni, including Grover Washington Jr. and Omar Hakim. Throughout his illustrious career, Ramsay Lewis has consistently demonstrated his exceptional skill and versatility as a keyboardist, leaving an indelible mark on the world of jazz.
