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| Strathmore Presents Ramsey Lewis Trio Strathmore presents Ramsey Lewis Trio on Friday, January 19, 2007 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The trio features legendary composer and jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis, Larry Gray on bass and Leon Joyce, Jr. on drums and percussion. Washington Performing Arts Society Men and Women of the Gospel Mass Choir under the artistic direction of Stanley J. Thurston will join the trio for selections from Ramsey Lewis's most recent album, With One Voice, a gospel-based jazz album that features "Oh, Happy Day, " "Keep the Spirit, " and "Bless Me." With three Grammy Awards, seven gold records and seventy albums, 71-year old Chicago native Ramsey Lewis has been topping the charts since 1956 with hits like "The In Crowd, " "Hang on Sloopy" and "Wade in the Water." In addition to recording albums and performing live, Mr. Lewis hosts WNUA-FM Chicago's weekday morning drive-time radio show, "The Ramsey Lewis Morning Show, " for which he was awarded R&R's (Radio & Records) 1999 and 2000 Personality of the Year Award. He also hosts the syndicated "Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis, " a two-hour radio program which airs in over 75 cities throughout the U.S. Active in community efforts, especially on behalf of youth, he helped organize Ravinia Festival's Jazz Mentor Program and also serves as the Artistic Director for that Festival's Jazz Series. Early 2005 saw the formation of the Ramsey Lewis Foundation that will help provide youth with the opportunity to play musical instruments and develop those and other skills to enhance self-confidence and a sense of personal accomplishment. Since 1991, Washington Performing Arts Society Men and Women of the Gospel Mass Choir has celebrated the rich legacy of gospel music in the nation's capital while embracing the sold-out audiences with messages of hope and inspiration and fostering the artistic growth and development of talented local vocalists and musicians. WPAS recently appointed Stanley J. Thurston as Artistic Director to continue the history of artistic excellence for the upcoming seasons. The Choir appears frequently in various community and special events including the 2006 performance of Sweet Honey In The Rock's new work INDABA!, a work specially commissioned to honor WPAS President Emeritus Doug Wheeler. Before the show Davey Yarborough, jazz saxophonist, Director of Jazz Studies at the renowned Duke Ellington School and Founder/Artistic Director of the Washington Jazz Arts Institute, discusses the historical significance and improvisational aspects of jazz. This pre-concert lecture, part of Strathmore's new Lend Me Your Ear Series, takes place in the Music Center concert hall. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Jazz News :: home page |