Gentleman of Jazz: A Life in Music

by Ramsey Lewis, Aaron Cohen

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 memoir 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 his 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 A Life in Music is an inspiration to young musicians eager to follow in his footsteps and a tribute to the legacy of Ramsey Lewis and is sure to appeal to longtime fans as well as those new to the jazz scene.

Genres: Music, Memoir, Jazz, Biography, Autobiography, History

205 pages, Hardcover

Published May 9, 2023

Reviews

[Kate Zdenek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed listening to Ramsey Lewis' music, but never knew much about him. Reading this gave me a great insight into the man and his passion for music. Any music lover should read this.

[Bradley Morgan]

My interview with the author for the New Books Network: https://newbooksnetwork.com/gentleman...

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramsey Lewis is a legend in the music industry whose discography contains more than 80 albums released under his name or including him as a featured musician. As an American jazz pianist, composer, and radio personality his work has deeply influenced the music industry as well as specific artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Maurice White, and more. Ramsey Lewis is one of only two Chicago musicians who have received the Jazz Master title from the National Endowment for the Arts next to his peer, saxophonist Von Freeman.

In Gentleman of Jazz, Ramsey Lewis shares with us his life story as a Chicago native and son of two parents who were part of the Great Migration up North. I really enjoyed reading the particulars of why Lewis is considered to be in the lineage of jazz musicians who incorporated R&B and the blues in the 1950s-60s as opposed to those who embraced changes in modern jazz at that time.

This memoir includes an overview of Lewis' life, career as a musician, and his family life as a 2x husband and father. I really enjoyed the contributions in the book from his wife, Jan, his son and his fellow musicians. Ramsey Lewis was laid to rest in September 2022 and though he was not alive to be here for the release of this book he would be pleased with the way this work honors him.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!

[Ceste Stanly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a prof musician & a jazz aficionado, I was sad that I had never heard of him. This book caught my eye on a table of free books. A lot of his musical journey reminded me a bit of Miles Davis' autobio. I loved hearing about how different styles of music influenced different recordings, concepts for albums, his early music training, how the trio was formed, etc. I loved the appendix at the back that listed every single recording & gave some insights on many. Can't wait to go on youtube & see if I can find any of these. I am especially interested in his work/tribute to Nat King Cole, his Abraham Lincoln tribute piece, & the music he wrote for a ballet. What a truly humble man! My parents are prof musicians & my dad remembers that Ramsey came to his college campus to perform in the late '60s-early '70s.

[Christopher Heaney · Rating 2 out of 5]

An "as told to" autobiography, the book is inherently flawed as all books of this type are because everything is told from the subject's point of view. Lewis seems like too nice a man to say anything negative about anything or anyone. Ergo, it makes for a rather banal read. On the positive side, it does give a chronological account of Lewis life, career, recordings, et al, but we'll have to wait for a biographer to tell the Ramsey Lewis story.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read if you are into music and know more about the 50-90's jazz scene that Ramsey was a major force in. The book concentrates on his music career and just a little on his personal. I personally did not hear of Ramsey until I listened to the radio station he was a DJ on in Chicago in the 90s. He had a calming presence about him. So sad that he is no longer with us.

[Bob K · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm biased because I worked for Ramsey Lewis for half my life at the time he passed (I'm also briefly quoted in the book). It reads like being in his presence and hearing him tell stories when he was alive. In that sense, the book is a real gift. I read it last year around the time of the anniversary of his birth.

[Jg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having the privilege and pleasure of hearing Ramsey Lewis live many times, it’s wonderful to read about his life and beginnings. Long a huge icon in the jazz world, Ramsey Lewis is a legend and it’s now nice to read about the man himself.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much liked learning more about Ramsey Lewis. He was a gentleman.

I started this book because I have 1 Ramsey Lewis record which I won on a jazz radio program.

I'm glad to know more about Lewis and his extensive body of work.

[Linda Yohn]

It's a Ramsey Lewis love fest, but full of information about great jazz, soul, R&B, and classical musicians.

[Jeremy Siegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about a wonderful and underrated man and musician.