Ramsey Lewis (2015)

I don't have a favorite chord. The chord that I'm playing at the moment is always my most favorite. And there are many variations of ending a song. ii V I is the most common. But there are other ways to move to the tonic. That's the fun of Jazz.

First and foremost, my inspiration comes from my wife, Jan.

The 60's on one hand were very turbulent because young people wanting a music of their own turned from Jazz and European Classical music and of course there was the reaction to the Vietnam war and it influenced almost everything one did. Out of it, however, came some wonderful young musicians and composers in almost every genre.

Ken Burns probably didn't have the budget or the time to continue the history of Jazz to date, but it continues to evolve… continues to grow. And there are veterans and young people STILL making major contributions to the music. My only concern, however, is it seems to me some groups of musicians have begun writing and performing as if they are playing for other learned musicians. I think that we must always remember that this music started as dance music. Of course Jazz evolved into concert music, but we must never forget that although it is no longer dance music, it is still a form of entertainment.

The first time I played Carnegie Hall. In fact, that day I took my family to New York because we taped the Johnny Carson Show in the afternoon and played Carnegie Hall that night. I was a ball of nerves, but once I started the performance I was at ease.

Phineas Newborn, Jr. left us all too soon. He was about to make a major contribution to the art of playing the piano. I also feel that there should be a holiday to recognize Billy Strayhorn's contribution to music in general.

I had memorable times performing with the Max Roach Quintet at the Blue Note in Chicago. Unfortunately Richie Powell was killed in an accident and I was asked to sit in for him. Also performing with the likes of Sonny Stitt, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie among others.

There were three pivotal points in my life. One, when I was four years old and got to start taking piano lessons. Two, when I was nine and got to start playing with our gospel church. The third, when I was sixteen years old and joined the Cleffs, a Jazz band in Chicago and the leader, Wallace Burton took the time to show me the ins and outs of performing Jazz. When I was twelve years old, something clicked in me that made me love the sound and feel of the piano and from that day on, I wanted to be the best piano player I could be. Never dreaming of hit records or gold records etc.

By having my lovely, charming and beautiful wife travel with me. It's never boring.

As it was happening, I never thought about it. Early on in the 50's and 60's we were recording 2 albums a year. I think that's how the count got so high. It wasn't until the late 60's that we started recording one album a year.

We think so! Great photo, thanks.

That says it all! How can we find a copy of that photo! I'd like to have it. Thank you for that.

Well besides the creative people in my family… my sons and daughters. Actually, nature itself. I'm inspired by my surroundings, whether it's the energy of the city, or the flowers, trees, stars… I try to be in the moment and sensitive to what's happening around me. And most times I can find inspiration there.

Jazz is alive and well. If you don't believe me, check the high schools and colleges across the country. Almost all of them have Jazz bands and young people are really into the music.

He made himself as important to the recording of a CD as the musicians. His style of recording was unique and you could always tell when Rudy Van Gelder was involved.

A great live show is when the Artist is able to reach out and touch the audience with his or her performance to the point that the audience unknowingly becomes a member of the group. Every performance is a give and take between Artist and audience.

I really love the Dakota and look forward to returning. Jazz is alive and well in the hands of a lot of up and coming musicians. I'm currently listening to about 17,000 songs and counting on my iPod. I turn it on and press shuffle, so I'm listening to all kinds of Artists in all categories of music all of the time.

I remember when they were so proud of their food, that in first class they would carve the beef or ham or turkey… whatever on the cart coming down the aisle. Now we've come to the point where most of us buy our own food before we get on the plane in first class or whatever class. Now, the only flights that have decent food are the international flights.

Yes.

Yes, because those musicians are playing for each other and a minute segment of the fans, leaving the rest of the audience scratching their heads or staying at home.

Thank you!

I like all kinds of music and I don't feel guilty or embarrassed at all when I'm listening to great pop, rock or R&B artists. I eat all kinds of fruit, different kinds of vegetables and enjoy all kinds of music!

You'll never know :-)

That he's one of many and I would not let one bad apple spoil the bushel. I sorely miss Dave and Iola Brubeck. His wife Iola was always backstage at all of his concerts smiling and listening to him as if it was the first time she was hearing him play. What a wonderful way to be.

Oh God! Michael Jordon. But he's first on a list of 6-7 which include Magic Johnson and others. I'm a huge basketball fan.

I played basketball when I was kid before I started focusing all my time on the piano. Now I'm just a fan.