He had become known for his instrumental version of the song “The ‘In’ Crowd” which had reached the top of the charts in the mid-1960s, a rare feat for an unsung piece.
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American jazz pianist Ramsey Lewis died Monday, September 12 at the age of 87. The musician is dead “peacefully at home in Chicago”, his hometown, announced his wife Jan. Born on May 27, 1935, he started playing the piano at a very young age, notably playing in church, where his father, a jazz enthusiast, led the choir.
In 1956, Lewis released his first album with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, formed with bassist Eldee Young and drummer Redd Holt, earning a solid reputation among jazz lovers over the years. But it was in 1965 that he made himself known to the general public with the unexpected success of his instrumental interpretation of The ‘In’ Crowda cover of a title by singer Dobie Gray released a few months earlier.
This instrumental version finds itself at the top of the charts, a rarity for jazz unlike pop or rock. Known for his musical experiments, at the crossroads of R&B or electronics, he adapts in the same way Hang On Sloopy of the McCoys, which won one of his three Grammys.
Then, Ramsey Lewis does the same with A Hard Day’s Night, one of the great Beatles hits.
Lewis then formed a new trio with Cleveland Eaton and Maurice White, recording some 80 albums during his lifetime. He was also a radio personality, hosting his own jazz show. “Ramsey’s passion for music was truly fueled by the love and dedication of his fans around the world…He loved touring and meeting music lovers from so many cultures and walks of life,” his wife wrote in a statement.