Legendary jazz musician Ramsey Lewis, known for hits such as “The In Crowd” and “Wade in the Water,” has died. He died on the morning of Sept. 12 at his home in Chicago. He was 87 years.
Advertisement
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Lewis began taking piano lessons at the age of four and as a young man, he played with a number of local ensembles, such as Edward Virgil Abner’s Knights of Music.
Lewis eventually joined a jazz group called the clefs and later formed the Ramsey Lewis Trio with drummer Isaac “Red” Holt and bassist Eldee Young.
Ramsey Lewis family
Ramsey was born on May 27, 1935 to parents Ramsey Lewis Sr. and Pauline Lewis.
He was married twice; firstly to Geraldine Taylor (m.1954-1989) and secondly to Janet Tamillow (m.1990-2022) and had seven children; Dawn Lewis, Frayne Lewis, Ramsey III Lewis, Kevyn Lewis, Denise Lewis, Robert Lewis, Kelly Lewis.
Ramsey Lewis awards
Lewis earned three Grammy awards and seven gold records.
Advertisement
Ramsey Lewis recognition
- 1997: Ramsey Lewis was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and awarded the Order of Lincoln (the state’s highest honor) by the Governor of Illinois in the area of The Performing Arts.
- 2002: Lewis participated in the 2002 Winter Olympics torch relay, lighting the cauldron for its brief stop in Chicago.
- 2003: NAACP Image Award, Best Jazz Artist, for his album Simple Pleasures (2003)
- 2006: 22nd Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Best Gospel Instrumental Album, With One Voice (2005)
- 2007: National Endowment for the Arts, Jazz Masters Award
- 2007: Landmarks Illinois, Legendary Landmark Award, as one of living treasures of Illinois. “Just like our landmarked buildings, our three Legendary Landmarks have been critical to the civic well-being of Chicago and stand as a testimony to the greatness of our cultural integrity” said David Bahlman, president of Landmarks Illinois.
Ramsey Lewis net worth
At the time of death, Lewis had an estimated net worth of $8 million.
Leave a Reply