Gentleman of Jazz
A Life in Music
by Ramsey Lewis
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Pub Date May 09 2023 | Archive Date May 23 2023
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Description
This immersive new autobiography provides insight into the early life and illustrious career of the late great Ramsey Lewis, one of the most popular jazz pianists of all time.
Beginning with his childhood growing up in Chicago’s Cabrini Green neighborhood, Ramsey Lewis recounts his memories of the music in his parents’ church and his early piano lessons. As he learned classical technique, Lewis also absorbed countless jazz records and heard gospel music weekly, finally becoming a performer himself in his teenage years. With his coauthor and collaborator, Aaron Cohen, Lewis describes his early steps in jazz from joining the Clefs in the ’50s, to eventually establishing the Ramsey Lewis Trio.
This account provides an evocative tour of Lewis’s life from the club circuit of the early 1960s and recording with Chess Records to working with producer Maurice White and musicians such as Stevie Wonder. In this deep dive into an exceptional life and expansive career, Lewis takes us through the artistic challenges, offers insight and perspective on his own musical growth and the creative process, and describes his eventual foray into symphonic composition and performance.
Gentleman of Jazz: A Life in Music serves as both an inspiration to young musicians eager to follow in his footsteps and a tribute to the legacy of Ramsey Lewis and is sure to excite longtime fans as well as those new to the jazz scene.
A Note From the Publisher
Advance Praise
"Ramsey Lewis was pure class. A role model indeed. He mentored a generation or more of musicians that went on to lead, discover and create their own brand of music. He had such a distinct sound. As soon as he put his hands on the keys, you felt at ease. The trio recordings are groundbreaking. No one had ever mastered covering current pop songs in an instrumental soul jazz setting and top the charts. They would burst out of the radio and you felt as if you were there in the club, having fun, grooving, a witness to something glorious....Ramsey and Chicago are synonymous."
—Steve Jordan, The Rolling Stones
"I discovered Ramsey Lewis’ artistry and his wonderful storytelling ability on the piano when I was 14 years old. When I met him at the Hampton House in 1962 I also discovered what a most gracious and generous gentleman he was. These qualities emboldened my desire to play music and tell my story with the piano. I am so happy that he now told us his story in words in this fascinating account."
—Monty Alexander, Grammy-nominated, award-winning jazz pianist
“Don’t miss this superb memoir filled with fascinating encounters with the likes of Barack Obama, Aretha Franklin, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder and scores of other well known personalities and top music superstars. This captivating book captures Ramsey’s life as a hit maker, virtuoso jazz pianist, radio and television personality, humanitarian, and so much more.”
—Rick Bleiweiss, Grammy-nominated record producer and award-winning, best-selling author
Marketing Plan
- National publicity campaign
- National reviews campaign
- Targeted outreach to music publications
- Mailing to influencers on Tik Tok, Instagram, and YouTube
- Social media promotion
- Paid search advertising
- Digital advertising campaign
- Promotion at bookseller and library trade shows
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9798200951727 |
| PRICE | $25.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 205 |
Available on NetGalley
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