Ramsey Lewis' Greatest Hits

Jazz pianist with Pop Hits

Ramsey Lewis was an American jazz composer, pianist, and radio personality. Renowned for his smooth style and incorporation of various genres into his music, Lewis was a pivotal figure in jazz during the 20th century. He gained prominence in the 1960s with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, and his music often blended jazz with elements of pop and R&B. Lewis was also noted for his covers of contemporary pop and folk songs, bringing a jazz perspective to a wider range of music. His work was instrumental in bringing jazz to a broader audience, and he remained active in the music scene for decades, both as a performer and as a radio host.

Lewis was renowned for his ability to blend traditional jazz with elements of pop, gospel, and R&B. This innovative approach helped bridge the gap between jazz and popular music, making jazz more accessible to a broader audience. His versatility allowed him to adapt to changing musical landscapes throughout his career.  Lewis achieved significant commercial success, a rarity for many jazz musicians. His recordings, like "The 'In' Crowd," "Hang On Sloopy," and "Wade in the Water," were not only jazz hits but also crossed over to pop charts. This success helped bring jazz to a wider audience and influenced the direction of jazz and popular music.

From a 1980 concert at Le Spectrum, Montreal, Canada, the Ramsey Lewis Quartet.  Lewis, acoustic piano,  Henry Johnson on guitar, Gregory Williams on bass, and Frank Donaldson on drums.

Wade In The Water/Hang On Sloopy/In Crowd/?/Baby What Do You Want Me To Do?