Young people need to learn sensitivity, says Ramsey Lewis, who'll play Cleveland benefit
Despite being known primarily for his laid-back, easy-on-the-ears approach to jazz, pianist/composer Ramsey Lewis isn't coasting on the half-century's worth of recordings, awards and accolades he has accumulated.
Instead, the living legend, who released his 76th album, With One Voice, in 2005, is as busy as ever.
He is the host of two radio shows -- the recently syndicated Chicago-based Ramsey Lewis Morning Show and the two-hour Legends of Jazz With Ramsey Lewis program that airs in London and more than 75 U.S. cities, including Cleveland on the Wave (WNWV, 107.3-FM) from 10 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
As if that isn't enough, Lewis is collaborating with the Joffrey Ballet's famed choreographer Donald Byrd for a ballet of original music to premiere in June at the Ravinia Festival outside Chicago.
“At this point in my life, I wound up doing not one, not two, but several things that I love, and I'm just crazy enough to try and squeeze them all in my schedule," he said in a phone interview from his home in Chicago. “So far, it's working, but maybe it's working because I have so much fun with all of them. When you're having fun and feel good about what you're doing and yourself, you sleep well at night and you're ready to get up in the morning and do it all over again."
Despite being known primarily for his laid-back, easy-on-the-ears approach to jazz, pianist/composer Ramsey Lewis isn't coasting on the half-century's worth of recordings, awards and accolades he has accumulated.
Instead, the living legend, who released his 76th album, With One Voice, in 2005, is as busy as ever.
He is the host of two radio shows -- the recently syndicated Chicago-based Ramsey Lewis Morning Show and the two-hour Legends of Jazz With Ramsey Lewis program that airs in London and more than 75 U.S. cities, including Cleveland on the Wave (WNWV, 107.3-FM) from 10 p.m. to midnight Sunday.
As if that isn't enough, Lewis is collaborating with the Joffrey Ballet's famed choreographer Donald Byrd for a ballet of original music to premiere in June at the Ravinia Festival outside Chicago.
“At this point in my life, I wound up doing not one, not two, but several things that I love, and I'm just crazy enough to try and squeeze them all in my schedule," he said in a phone interview from his home in Chicago. “So far, it's working, but maybe it's working because I have so much fun with all of them. When you're having fun and feel good about what you're doing and yourself, you sleep well at night and you're ready to get up in the morning and do it all over again."
For more information contact All About Jazz.
