Ramsey Lewis: Last News

Chris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic The Jazz Foundation of America has set performers and honorees for its annual “A Great Night in Harlem” benefit, with multiple Grammy winner Jon Batiste among the talent coming to the Apollo Theater and legendary songwriter Mike Stoller among those being honored for a lifetime of work. The concert portions of the March 30 event will be overseen, as always, by drumming great Steve Jordan as the night’s musical director. Batiste will be joined in the performance lineup by a cast that includes Bettye LaVette, Monty Alexander, Ray Parker Jr., Kenny Barron and Robert Cray. Stoller has come back into the pop consciousness in a big way in the past year due to the number of Leiber and Stoller songs featured on the “Elvis” film soundtrack, with the writing due that included Jerry Leiber having been responsible for such career milestones as “Hound Dog” (originally recorded by R&B artist Big Mama Thornton), “Jailhouse Rock,” “Trouble” and many others. (Read Variety‘s 2022 interview with Stoller here.)

Late musical stars such as Takeoff, Christine McVie and Loretta Lynn were honored at Sunday's 2023 Grammy Awards from the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. The expansive segment began with Kacey Musgraves paying tribute to Lynn - who died at the age of in October at 90 - in singing Coal Miner's Daughter.Quavo remembered his Migos bandmate Takeoff performing Without You in a collaboration Maverick City Music. He performed in front of a microphone stand that was draped with a necklace belonging to the late performer.The emotional tribute drew a number of responses on social media less than four months after Takeoff was fatally shot at the age of 28 in Houston.   Details: Late musical stars such as Takeoff, Christine McVie and Loretta Lynn were honored at Sunday's 2023 Grammy Awards from the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, as Quavo was among the stars to perform Quavo was by the side of Takeoff, who was his nephew, in the incident outside of the 810 Billiards & Bowling Houston, which was triggered by an argument over a dice game. Multiple people on social media said they were brought to tears in watching the segment dedicated to the late musical artist, whose real name is Kirsnick Khari Ball.  Fleetwood Mac's Mick Fleetwood paid tribute to late bandmate Christine McVie, following her death at 79 late last year, in a performance of Songbird with Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow. Among the other artists who died in the past year who were remembered at Sunday's proceedings, in graphics on a screen on the stage, included David Crosby, Naomi Judd, Olivia Newton-John, Jeff Beck, Ramsey Lewis, LIsa Marie Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Earth Wind & Fire's Fred E.

It was another difficult year in 2022, and the sadness extended to many beloved and groundbreaking people in the show business and media worlds who died during the past 12 months.

Michaela Zee editor Legendary jazz musician Ramsey Lewis, known for hits such as “The In Crowd” and “Wade in the Water,” died Monday morning at his home in Chicago. He was 87. Lewis recorded over 80 albums in his career, during which he received five gold records and three Grammy Awards. The jazz pianist and composer’s death was announced in a post on the official Ramsey Lewis Facebook page, stating that he “died peacefully” with no cause of death mentioned at this time. In the notice, a quote from his wife Janet Lewis read, “Ramsey’s passion for music was truly fueled by the love and dedication of his fans across the globe. He loved touring and meeting music lovers from so many cultures and walks of life. It was our family’s great pleasure to share Ramsey in this special way with all those who admired his God-given talents. We are forever grateful for your support.”

Ramsey Lewis, a jazz pianist and composer who had a surprise appearance on the pop charts in 1965 with the hit “The In Crowd,” died Monday at 87. No cause of death was given, but his Facebook page indicated he “died peacefully at his home in Chicago” this morning.