ICONIC JAZZ PIANIST AND BANDLEADER RAMSEY LEWIS TO RELEASE CONCORD JAZZ DEBUT SEPTEMBER 29TH
SONGS FROM THE HEART INCLUDES EIGHT ORIGINAL TRACKS WRITTEN
FOR JOFFREY BALLET COMPANY’S PRODUCTION OF “TO KNOW HER”
On September 29, Concord Jazz will release Songs From the Heart: Ramsey Plays
Ramsey, the debut Concord Jazz CD from iconic pianist and bandleader Ramsey
Lewis.
Songs From the Heart contains a refined collection of 12 new originals that he
composed over a period of two years, and including music from two
commissioned world premiere performances at the Ravinia Festival in Highland
Park, Illinois, just north of Chicago. Eight songs come from the score of 2007’s
ballet To Know Her…written for the Joffrey Ballet Company and four pieces come
from 2008’s Muses and Amusements suite performed with the Turtle Island
Quartet.
At the age of 74, Ramsey Lewis has not only continued to be active in the jazz
world, but he’s also forging ahead with a newly inspired creative instinct as a
composer. Songs From the Heart, Lewis’ first trio recording in five years, features
eight pieces with bassist Larry Gray and drummer Leon Joyce, and four piano
solo performances.