Ramsey Lewis & His Electric Band at Yoshi's Oakland

Three-time Grammy®-winning jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, who first rose to prominence in the mid-1960’s, released his 80th collection, Ramsey, Taking Another Look on September 20, 2011. On the stirring 10-song CD, Lewis and his Electric Band breathe new life into many of Lewis’ favorite tunes, including a new rendition of the Stevie Wonder-penned “Living for the City” and a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess” recording featuring Earth, Wind & Fire.

“Living for the City” is accompanied by a music video created at Chicago’s Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, with Film & Broadcast and Recording Arts students taking the lead on production. Featuring an energetic performance by Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band, the clip celebrates the visual vibrancy of Chicago at night time....

read more

Three-time Grammy®-winning jazz legend Ramsey Lewis, who first rose to prominence in the mid-1960’s, released his 80th collection, Ramsey, Taking Another Look on September 20, 2011. On the stirring 10-song CD, Lewis and his Electric Band breathe new life into many of Lewis’ favorite tunes, including a new rendition of the Stevie Wonder-penned “Living for the City” and a new edit of the original “Sun Goddess” recording featuring Earth, Wind & Fire.

“Living for the City” is accompanied by a music video created at Chicago’s Tribeca Flashpoint Media Arts Academy, with Film & Broadcast and Recording Arts students taking the lead on production. Featuring an energetic performance by Ramsey Lewis and his Electric Band, the clip celebrates the visual vibrancy of Chicago at night time.

A noted advocate for Steinway pianos, Ramsey, Taking Another Look represents Lewis’ first return to playing the Fender Rhodes piano in fifteen years.

“Taking Another Look and the Sun Goddess Tour happened almost suddenly. The idea of including electric instruments in performances and on the album started with the suggestion of Rio Natsume in Japan at the Blue Note Tokyo when we were there in October 2010. Almost immediately after I returned home, there was a suggestion from Jack Randall at the Ted Kurland Agency for the same thing. Then after the holidays, I decided to have a jam session/rehearsal with the guys and try it out. The whole thing happened within a span of about 90 days. By no means have I abandoned my love for the nine-foot Steinway Grand – we just now include electric instruments as well.”

The album, like Lewis’ remarkable live performances, continues to generate rave reviews.

show less