GA Russell

Bill, I saw her on TV a number of times about that time, and that seemed to be 90% of her act! She was scary!

Artist Title Time Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 04:03 GLOBAL ALBUM RELEASE: OCTOBER 21st WATCH ALBUM TRAILER HERE NEW SONG: “HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS” AVAILABLE FOR HOLIDAY AIRPLAY PROGRAMMING: NOW *** This holiday season, internationally renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli is teaming up with his 24-year-old son Matteo Bocelli and his 10-year-old daughter Virginia Bocelli for their first-ever album together, A Family Christmas. Set for release on October 21 via Decca / Capitol Records, the recording showcases their multi-generational musical talent in a range of festive favorites. “We are offering our small, intimate, and heartfelt gift to anyone who wishes to enjoy the soundtrack of Christmas in the Bocelli home,” the family says. Andrea Bocelli will be joined by Matteo and Virginia on his U.S. tour, which will kick off on December 1 at Chase Center in San Francisco. The run includes shows in such major cities as Las Vegas, Boston, Miami and Columbus with the support of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Andrea will perform for the first time ever in Bridgeport, CT, Savannah, GA, Indianapolis, IN with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and at the new venue UBS Arena on Long Island. He will return to the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 14. See below for itinerary. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.andreabocelli.com/tickets. A Family Christmas was produced by composer and multi-GRAMMY® and Academy Award® nominee Stephan Moccio (Celine Dion, The Weeknd, Miley Cyrus, Barbra Streisand), who also contributed new arrangements and co-wrote “The Greatest Gift” alongside Amy Wadge, Jonas Myrin and Andrea Bocelli. The album captures the Bocelli festive spirit in full flow, with new renditions of traditional carols arranged for all three voices, including “Away in a Manger” and “Joy To The World” plus popular Christmas tunes from around the globe such as “Feliz Navidad” and the new original song “Il Giorno Piu Speciale,” which was written by Federica Abbate, Cheope, Katoo and Andrea Bocelli. The trio of complementary voices intertwine and echo on the album’s stirring opening track “Do You Hear What I Hear?” Each Bocelli gets a chance to shine on A Family Christmas with solo tracks, duets and trios. For 10-year-old Virginia Bocelli, this marks her first appearance on an album, having previously joined her father for a spine-tingling performance of “Hallelujah” during 2020’s hugely popular Believe in Christmas concert, livestreamed from the Teatro Regio di Pama (watch here). She provides the tender openings to “Away in a Manger” and “Over The Rainbow” and performs solo on “When Christmas Comes to Town.” At 24, Matteo Bocelli has launched his own successful solo recording career after signing to Capitol Records in 2019. He shot to fame in 2018 after duetting with his father on the hit song “Fall On Me” from Andrea’s best-selling album, Sì, which debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. and U.K. charts. The emotive video, which features images of father and son through the years, has now surpassed 100 million views (watch here). Matteo and Andrea reunite on “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and Matteo duets with Virginia on “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” before taking a solo turn on “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” which closes the album. For Andrea Bocelli, the most celebrated classical singer in modern history, the chance to work with Matteo and Virginia on this album has been a source of great joy. He says, “I think there is nothing more beautiful than making music with your kids; I consider it a privilege.” As well as performing with his son and daughter on many of the Christmas songs, Andrea takes the lead on “The First Noël” and “Buon Natale.” Andrea’s emotive and instantly recognizable voice has earned him millions of fans around the world. In April 2020, he broke records with his emotionally charged Music for Hope performance from the historic Duomo cathedral in Milan. His unforgettable Easter performance ranks among the biggest musical livestreams of all-time and the largest simultaneous audience for a classical livestream in YouTube history. He has earned a Golden Globe, seven Classical BRITs, seven World Music Awards and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Reflecting on A Family Christmas, Matteo concludes, “Singing these songs together, feeling the holiday warmth with my family is something really special. That’s what Christmas is about – making memories together to cherish forever. It’s really exciting to think that people will have a copy of our album sitting wrapped under the tree.” A Family Christmas – Track Listing 1. Do You Hear What I Hear? 2. Away in a Manger 3. Feliz Navidad 4. The First Noël 5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 6. Over the Rainbow 7. Buon Natale 8. Joy To The World 9. The Greatest Gift 10. When Christmas Comes to Town 11. Happy Xmas (War is Over) 12. Il Giorno Piu Speciale 13. I’ll Be Home For Christmas 2022 U.S. Tour Dates 12/1 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center 12/3 – Las Vegas, NV – MGM Grand Garden Arena 12/4 – Anaheim, CA – Honda Center 12/7 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse 12/8 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena 12/10 – Boston, MA – TD Garden 12/11 – Bridgeport, CT – Total Mortgage Arena 12/13 – Long Island, NY – UBS Arena 12/14 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden 12/16 – Savannah, GA – EnMarket Arena 12/18 – Miami, FL – FTX Arena

Artist Title Time Norah Jones Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 04:16 On October 21, Norah Jones will release I Dream Of Christmas (Deluxe), a newly expanded 24-track edition of the 9-time GRAMMY-winning singer, songwriter, and pianist’s beloved 2021 holiday album, a delightful and comforting collection of timeless seasonal favorites and affecting originals. The Deluxe edition features 11 additional songs including bonus tracks and live performances, as well as a brand-new studio recording of “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” which was released today as a digital single. I Dream Of Christmas (Deluxe) is available for pre-order now on 2-LP black, gold, or red vinyl, CD, or digital download. “When I was trying to figure out which direction to take, the original songs started popping in my head,” Norah explained. “They were all about trying to find the joys of Christmas, catching that spark, that feeling of love and inclusion that I was longing for during the rest of the year. Then there are all the classics that have that special nostalgia that can hit you no matter who or where you are in life. It was hard to narrow down, but I picked favorite classics that I knew I could make my own.” The album’s release last year found Norah performing songs including her original “Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones),” the Chipmunks’ “Christmas Don’t Be Late,” and Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” everywhere from Rockefeller Center and the White House to Disneyland and the top of the Empire State Building. In fact, five of the additional tracks included on the Deluxe edition were taken from that remarkable live performance atop the iconic New York City skyscraper where Norah was joined by bassist Gus Seyffert, drummer Brian Blade, and vocalist Sasha Dobson. The original studio album was produced by Leon Michels and features an excellent cast of musicians including Blade on drums, Tony Scherr and Nick Movshon on bass, Russ Pahl on pedal steel guitar, Marika Hughes on cello, Dave Guy on trumpet, Raymond Mason on trombone, and Michels on saxophone, flute, percussion, and more. The track listing for I Dream Of Christmas (Deluxe) is as follows: 1. Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones) 2. Christmas Don’t Be Late 3. Christmas Glow 4. White Christmas 5. Christmastime 6. Blue Christmas 7. It’s Only Christmas Once A Year 8. You’re Not Alone 9. Winter Wonderland 10. A Holiday With You 11. Run Rudolph Run 12. Christmas Time Is Here 13. What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve? 14. Last Month Of the Year 15. I’ll Be Home For Christmas 16. The Christmas Waltz 17. O Holy Night 18. I Dream Of Christmas 19. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 20. Christmas in My Soul / Christmastime (Live From The Empire State Building) 21. Run Rudolph Run (Live From The Empire State Building) 22. Blue Christmas (Live From The Empire State Building) 23. You’re Not Alone (Live From The Empire State Building) 24. Christmas Calling (Jolly Jones) (Live From The Empire State Building) * * * Norah Jones has been a steady voice of warmth and reassurance since her cozy 2002 debut album Come Away With Me, which marked its 20th Anniversary in 2022 with a Super Deluxe Edition, became a familiar musical companion for millions of people around the world. Jones’ self-described “moody little record” introduced a singular new voice and grew into a global phenomenon, sweeping the 2003 GRAMMY Awards. Since then, Jones has become a nine-time GRAMMY-winner, sold more than 50 million albums, and her songs have been streamed six billion times worldwide. She has released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums—Feels Like Home (2004), Not Too Late (2007), The Fall (2009), Little Broken Hearts (2012), Day Breaks (2016), Pick Me Up Off The Floor (2020), the live album ‘Til We Meet Again (2021), and her holiday album I Dream Of Christmas (2021)—as well as albums with her collective bands The Little Willies, El Madmo, and Puss N Boots featuring Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The 2010 compilation …Featuring Norah Jones showcased her incredible versatility by collecting her collaborations with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Outkast, and Herbie Hancock. In 2018, Jones began releasing a series of singles including collaborations with artists and friends such as Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, Thomas Bartlett, Tarriona Tank Ball, Rodrigo Amarante, and Brian Blade, some of which were compiled on the 2019 singles collection Begin Again. Jones recently launched her own podcast Norah Jones Is Playing Along, each episode of which features her sitting down with one of her favorite musicians for impromptu musical collaborations and candid conversation Follow Norah Jones: Website • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube

One of the most memorable comediennes in my memory, Judy Tenuta, has passed away. RIP. https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/judy-tenuta-the-love-goddess-comedienne-actress-dead-72 https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/judy-tenuta-brash-love-goddess-comedian-dies-at-72/ar-AA12GbrI

The Fleetwoods - Come Softly to Me (Jasmine - Their first four LPs on 2 CDs) - $13.98 prime https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B008VSNNSO ***** By the way, did you know that their lead singer Gary Troxel had a case heard by the Supreme Court? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troxel_v._Granville https://www.thefleetwoods.us/biographies/gary-troxel.html

Allen Austin-Bishop Christmas Format(s): Jazz Artist Title Time Allen Austin-Bishop All I Want For Christmas Is New Year's Day 05:35 Allen Austin-Bishop Perfect Christmas 03:40 Allen Austin-Bishop New Year 03:31 Allen Austin-Bishop My First Christmas With You 03:02 Allen Austin-Bishop Send Me A Bit of Home For Christmas 03:32 Allen Austin-Bishop By Christmas Eve 03:49 Allen Austin-Bishop River 04:24 Allen Austin-Bishop The Christmas Song 04:28 Allen Austin-Bishop Some Day At Christmas (updated) 03:28 Allen Austin-Bishop The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot (Radio Edit) 04:13 Allen Austin-Bishop When You Wish Upon A Star 03:11 Allen Austin-Bishop is bringing-in the festive cheer this year with his first holiday album entitled “Christmas". “Christmas” delivers songs from popular artists such as The Sugababes, S Club-7, John Legend, Joni Mitchell, and the legendary Mel Torme. “Christmas” features Allen Austin-Bishop vocals, accompanied by an accomplished, tasteful and subtle band comprised of pianist Dorian Ford, bassist Mao Yamada, percussionist James Edmunds, saxophonist Katie Edwards, and celloist Fifi Homan. Together they bring a freshness to songs, both old and new giving them a warm atmospheric vibe, taking the originals into a new sphere. Allen’s voice has been described as being warm, with a conversational style, with critics praising his ability to not only sound as if he believes every word that he interprets but an approach that communicates very well to audiences. Allen was born in Newark, New Jersey, but for some time, has been based in London. Allen made his recording debut in 2017 with “Sorry Grateful”, a collection of standards. Among its highlights are his versions of “Misty,” “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Happiness is a Thing Called Joe” and “When I Fall in Love”. Allen Austin-Bishop became an important part of the London music scene, with his second album, “No One Is Alone”, while further spreading news about his musical talents worldwide. More recently, his critically acclaimed album "Why Go?” (released in July 2022), which marks a change from his past recordings, and leans more towards a ‘modern’ sound is an important step forward for this talented singer who is fulfilling his potential, introducing listeners to a variety of superior contemporary material, and carving out his own musical path in the jazz and pop music worlds. WEBSITE Contact information: allen@austinbishop.com Christmas ...

Thanks, Ghost!

How many home runs did Judge have after 154 games?

I see that today... one pound sterling = $1.05 one euro = $1.04

And the final score is Geelong 20.13 (133) Sydney 8.4 (52) Congratulations Geelong Cats!

I'm listening to the game here. https://nirs.org.au/get-live-streaming/ After three quarters, the score is Geelong 15.11 (101) Sydney 4.3 (27) In the third quarter, Geelong outscored Sydney 39-1.

At halftime, the score is Geelong 9.8 (62) Sydney 4.2 (26)

Week 16 Picks https://3downnation.com/2022/09/23/3downnation-cfl-picks-will-bad-blood-between-lions-and-stamps-boil-over-in-rematch/

Kevin, the sales pitches I've seen for cables stress the purity of the copper, and the effort given to designing the insulation. I take it that you think that effort is wasted. Is that right? Any copper wire is as good as another?

Well, I forgot to post the final score. The second half was all Melbourne, and they won 21.14 (140) to 10.6 (66). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_AFL_Grand_Final. https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-grand-final-2021-melbourne-demons-vs-western-bulldogs-live-updates-score-start-time-video-stream-blog/news-story/bc1bb66f7efccb9d3eac5aa333669230 This was Melbourne's first premiership since 1964, when the Beatles' current US album was Something New. ***** This year's Grand Final is tomorrow night (US time), starting around midnight eastern time. The Geelong Cats will face the Sydney Swans. I'm rooting for the Cats because I always root for the pre-1990 VFL clubs. I expect the link from Sept. 25 last year will be good again.

Power Rankings https://13thmansports.ca/2022/09/20/cfl-power-rankings-week-15-2/ ***** Analyses & Week 16 Picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2022/09/22/cfl-beat-166/ http://17degreesports.com/index.php/2022/09/21/cfl-week-16-preview-2/ https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/21/weekly-predictor-taking-the-toronto-argonauts/ https://13thmansports.ca/2022/09/22/thursday-through-saturday-nfl-cfl-picks/ ***** Week 16 Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/22/cfl-ca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-16/ ***** Week 16 Checking Down https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/21/checking-down-news-and-notes-from-week-16/ ***** QB Index https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/21/qb-index-staying-calm-in-the-storm/ ***** Kyries Hebert has retired as an Alouette. https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/21/kyries-hebert-to-retire-as-a-member-of-the-alouettes/ https://www.tsn.ca/kyries-hebert-to-retire-one-day-contract-montreal-alouettes-1.1851723 https://3downnation.com/2022/09/21/controversial-defender-kyries-hebert-to-sign-one-day-contract-to-retire-with-montreal-alouettes/ ***** Gossip! https://3downnation.com/2022/09/21/insider-talk-hot-seats-in-saskatchewan-hamiltons-intensity-mcmanis-dominance/

There are so many appealling offerings here. Any favorites?

Week 15 Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/20/big-game-moments-in-the-week-15-timber-mart-plays-of-the-week/ ***** Power Rankings https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/19/power-rankings-gauging-an-eventful-week-15/ https://3downnation.com/2022/09/19/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-vernon-adams-jr-leads-lions-to-large-leap/ ***** The Argos, Lions and Stampeders may clinch playoff berths this week. https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/19/playoff-scenarios-argos-lions-stamps-eye-playoff-berths/ https://3downnation.com/2022/09/19/b-c-lions-toronto-argonauts-can-clinch-cfl-postseason-berths-with-week-16-wins/ https://www.tsn.ca/toronto-argonauts-cfl-east-division-1.1850872 https://www.tsn.ca/bc-lions-victory-over-calgary-stampeders-winnipeg-blue-bombers-home-playoff-game-1.1850899 ***** Zach Collaros is on track to win his second straight MOP Award. Only four have done that: Parker, Brock, Flutie and Calvillo. https://3downnation.com/2022/09/20/the-only-four-cfl-players-to-win-back-to-back-most-outstanding-player-awards/ ***** Harry Langford has passed away at 92. RIP. https://3downnation.com/2022/09/19/calgary-stampeders-wall-of-fame-inductee-harry-langford-passes-away-at-92/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/harry-langford-calgary-stampeders-obituary-1.6583579 ***** Week 16 Picks https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/20/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-week-16-picks/

To my surprise, I see that the euro is now par with the dollar. So this might be a good time to order a European box you've had your eye on.

Episode 31 https://artpepper.bandcamp.com/track/straight-life-episode-thirty-one-2

Week 15 Results All three games were terrific. The highlight videos are well worth your time! Edmonton 26....Sask 24 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6266/edmonton-elks-vs-saskatchewan-roughriders/#videos https://3downnation.com/2022/09/17/the-sketchy-ones-count-too-nine-thoughts-on-the-elks-win-over-the-riders/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-roughriders-elks-recap-sept-16-1.6586202 This was Edmonton's first win in Regina since 2018. A Sask win would have clinched fourth place, and eliminated the Elks from the playoffs. Now the Roughies need to win two of the next four (Winnipeg, Hamilton, Calgary, Calgary). If they can't beat Edmonton, are they going to beat Winnipeg or Calgary? ***** Hamilton 48....,Winnipeg 31 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6267/winnipeg-blue-bombers-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/#videos https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-blue-bombers-ticats-recap-sept-17-1.6586678 https://3downnation.com/2022/09/17/blue-bombers-implode-in-shocking-loss-to-hamilton-ten-other-thoughts/ Dane Evans has had a rotten year, but he was all-world today. The Bombers scored a quick 14 in the fourth to make it interesting, but the Ticats scored again to pull away. ***** BC 31....Calgary 29 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6268/bc-lions-vs-calgary-stampeders/#videos https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/cfl-lions-stampeders-recap-sept-17-1.6586682 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6268/bc-lions-vs-calgary-stampeders/#preview Adams came through in his first start since joining BC.

Now let's look ahead to this weekend. Only three games, as everyone in the East has the week off except Hamilton. Analyses and Week 15 Picks https://doorfliesopen.com/2022/09/15/cfl-beat-165/ http://17degreesports.com/index.php/2022/09/14/cfl-week-15-preview-3/ https://3downnation.com/2022/09/16/3downnation-cfl-picks-will-the-riders-crush-the-elks-playoff-fantasy/ https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/13/prediction-time-cfl-ca-writers-week-15-picks/ https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/14/weekly-predictor-rolling-with-the-roughriders/ ***** 9/13 QB Index https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/13/qb-index-a-trio-of-plot-twists-in-week-15/ ***** Week 15 Game Notes https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/15/cfl-ca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-15-2/ ***** The names of ten players on each team's neg list were revealed this week. https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/15/10-players-revealed-from-each-cfl-teams-negotiation-list/

Lots and lots of catching up to do, so let's start with the most recent items. Saturday's results Toronto 24....Ottawa 19 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6263/toronto-argonauts-vs-ottawa-redblacks/#videos https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/toronto-argonauts-ottawa-redblacks-cfl-sept-10-2022-1.6578682 https://3downnation.com/2022/09/11/shameful-home-effort-sinks-redblacks-ten-other-thoughts-on-losing-to-the-argos/ The Redblacks weren't quite good enough to win it, but they no longer stink. ***** Winnipeg 54...Sask 20 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6264/saskatchewan-roughriders-vs-winnipeg-blue-bombers/#videos https://3downnation.com/2022/09/10/number-of-riders-players-to-be-game-time-decisions-for-banjo-bowl-due-to-stomach-flu-report/ https://3downnation.com/2022/09/11/it-looked-like-a-triage-in-there-riders-ravaged-by-stomach-flu-in-banjo-bowl-blowout/ https://3downnation.com/2022/09/10/blue-bombers-serve-up-50-burger-in-banjo-bowl-win-over-riders-11-other-thoughts/ Everyone expected the Bombers to win, but no one expected the Riders to come down with a stomach flu. ***** Calgary 56....Edmonton 28 https://www.cfl.ca/games/6265/calgary-stampeders-vs-edmonton-elks/#videos https://3downnation.com/2022/09/11/stamps-dominate-elks-to-complete-the-season-sweep-and-ten-other-thoughts/ https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/cfl/toronto-argonauts-ottawa-redblacks-cfl-sept-10-2022-1.6578682 The Elks/Eskimos have not won at home since 2019. ***** Week 14 Plays of the Week https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/12/threading-the-needle-in-the-week-14-plays-of-the-week/ ***** Power Rankings https://3downnation.com/2022/09/12/3downnation-cfl-power-rankings-b-c-lions-continue-dramatic-descent/ https://www.cfl.ca/2022/09/12/power-rankings-changing-the-conversation/ ***** Now let's look at the standings. https://www.cfl.ca/standings/ Almost always, an 8-10 record is good enough to make the playoffs. So that means that Winnipeg, BC and Calgary are in. Toronto needs to win one more. Sask needs to win two of five. Doable, but not a certainty. Montreal needs to win three of six. Again, it's possible, but not a lock. Ottawa and Hamilton would both need to win five of six. Very unlikely. Edmonton has five games left, and will need to win all of them.

The Hot Club Of San Francisco Don't Panic Impacting September 14th, 2022 Format(s): Jazz, Non-Commercial, NPR Artist Title Time The Hot Club Of San Francisco 01. Don't Panic 03:53 The Hot Club Of San Francisco 02. Lovers' Leap 04:01 The Hot Club Of San Francisco 03. Creve Couer 07:13 The Hot Club Of San Francisco 04. Waltz Una Nota 05:18 The Hot Club O San Francisco 05. I'm Not Impressed 03:00 The Hot Club Of San Francisco 06. Ersatz Samba 04:27 The Hot Club Of San Francisco 07. Yerba Buena Bounce 04:03 The Hot Club Of San Francisco 08. Blithe Spirit Samba 04:08 Multiple award-nominated.record producer, Andrew A. Melzer, is releasing the album: "Don't Panic". "DON'T PANIC" is an acoustic jazz album of original compositions recorded by The Hot Club Of San Francisco at the iconic Coast Recorders (John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grateful Dead, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz). For over 30 years, The Hot Club Of San Francisco have been touring and dazzling audiences in North America and Europe. This ensemble of versatile and accomplished musicians celebrate the musical style of Django Reinhardt and Stephane G_rapelli's Quintette du Hot Club de France. DON'T PANI... Don't Pani...

Jazz Pianist & NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis Dies at His Chicago Home, September 12, at the age of 87   Contact: Brett Steele Steele Management 727-420-1547 brett@steelemgmt.net September 12, 2022 Jazz pianist, three-time Grammy winner, and NEA Jazz Master Ramsey Lewis, who successfully crossed over from the Jazz charts to the Pop charts, most notably with his smash hit “The In Crowd,” died peacefully at his home in Chicago on the morning of September 12. He was 87. Ramsey E. Lewis Jr. was born in Chicago on May 27, 1935. Growing up in the Cabrini Green housing project, he began taking piano lessons at age four and played piano at church, where his father was choir director. A jazz fan who played lots of Duke Ellington and Art Tatum at home and took his son to jazz concerts, Ramsey Lewis Sr. encouraged Ramsey to embrace that music. When Ramsey was a freshman at Wells High School, saxophonist and pianist Wallace Burton, a fellow church musician whose jazz ventures had enticed Ramsey, asked him to join his band, the Clefs, a septet of collegians that blended jazz and R&B. Lewis needed to familiarize himself with bebop and other jazz styles but learned on the run. After the outbreak of the Korean War, the military draft claimed several members of the Clefs, including Burton. The three members who didn’t get drafted—Lewis, bassist Eldee Young, and drummer Redd Holt—formed what would become known as the classic Ramsey Lewis Trio. In 1956, they released their first album, Ramsey Lewis and His Gentlemen of Jazz, on the Chess label. Three years later, Lewis was invited to perform with the trio at Birdland in New York. Their three-week gig led to performances at the Newport Jazz Festival and the Village Vanguard, and recordings with Max Roach, Clark Terry, and Sonny Stitt. Lewis broke through in a big way in 1965 with the early crossover smash, “The In Crowd.” The elegantly funky, Grammy-winning song (written by Dobie Gray) was followed by two more chart-toppers, “Hang on Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water.” After Young and Holt left to form their own group, Lewis continued in the trio format with bassist Cleveland Eaton and future Earth, Wind & Fire eminence Maurice White on drums. He subsequently experimented on electronic keyboards in more expansive settings. A high point was his 1974 album Sun Goddess, produced by White and featuring members of Earth, Wind & Fire (whose falsetto specialist Philip Bailey he would tour with years later). The recording established Lewis as a fusion music icon with broad appeal. Over the years, Lewis has performed and recorded in a remarkable variety of musical settings. Throughout the ’70s, he embraced R&B and Latin music without abandoning mainstream jazz. In 1983, on the album Reunion, he reconstituted his most famous trio. In 1995, he introduced the crossover supergroup Urban Knights, featuring Grover Washington Jr., Earl Klugh, and Dave Koz. Urban Knights I was the first of eight albums by the band. In 2005, returning to his gospel roots, Lewis recorded With One Voice, which earned him the Stellar Gospel Music Award for Best Gospel Instrumental Album. Among his many honors were five honorary doctorate degrees and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist. “The In Crowd” single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and his personal memorabilia reside at the Smithsonian Institution. Lewis received a 2007 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award, which placed him in the hallowed company of such piano legends as Ahmad Jamal, Chick Corea, McCoy Tyner, Dr. Billy Taylor, and Cecil Taylor. In his late eighties, Lewis still connected with younger generations. His monthly Saturday Salon livestream series, produced during the pandemic by his wife Jan, was critically acclaimed. His forthcoming album, The Beatles Songbook: The Saturday Salon Series, Volume One, which will be released November 11 by Steele Records, was drawn from the livestream performances. Ramsey also spent the last year of his life working on his memoir Gentleman of Jazz with his co-writer Aaron Cohen. The book will be released via Blackstone Publishing in 2023. Ramsey Lewis is survived by his loving wife Janet Lewis; daughters Denise Jeffries and Dawn Allain (Michael); sons Kendall Kelly Lewis, Frayne Lewis (Julletta), and Bobby Lewis (Crystal); grandchildren Apryl Daniels (Dennis), Regan Lewis, Kris Jeffries (Nailah), Joshua Allain, Junell Lewis, Malachi Lewis, Aja Alain, Jordan Lewis, Ramsey Lewis IV, Dorien Olson-Lewis, Miyoshie Lewis, Meshach Lewis, Taylor Lewis, Kevai Lewis, Frayne Lewis Jr., Niya Lewis, and Asia Lewis; great-grandchildren Jalen Simmons, Dennis Daniels III, Omari Jackson; nieces Paula Jackson and Kimberly Johnson; and nephew James Johnson. He was predeceased by his sons Ramsey Lewis III and Kevyn Lewis. “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.” —Jan Lewis In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Jazz Foundation of America at https://jazzfoundation.org/ Photos can be found at https://www.ramseylewis.com/photos Photography:Todd Winter     Ramsey Lewis Web Site