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LEGENDS OF JAZZ with Ramsey Lewis began its weekly run on PBS stations in April 2006. In each half-hour episode, Ramsey focuses on a specific theme. The Golden Horns, The Altos, The Tenors, Contemporary Jazz, Latin Jazz and The Killer B's are some of the topics that Ramsey explores with his guests, which include Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, Al Jarreau, Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Lee Ritneour, Chris Botti, Roy Hargrove, Eddie Palmieri, David Sanborn Tony Bennett, Dave Brubeck, Dr. Billy Taylor, David Sanborn, Pat Metheny, George Duke and many others.
This is the first weekly network jazz-related show in 40 years, and has combined live performance, intimate conversation and archival imagery to provide a look at some of the most memorable moments and most exciting artists in jazz. One note of particular interest about LEGENDS OF JAZZ is that viewers will have the opportunity to see and hear unique pairings of legendary, GRAMMY Award-winning artists who have never appeared or recorded together before. The 13-week debut season began airing nationally earlier this year in April on public television stations to coincide with Jazz Appreciation Month.
"This is America's art form," Lewis said. "Jazz continues to provide inspiration to musicians around the globe and to influence artists in a wide range of fields. I believe as you watch the shows, you will notice not only the memorable individual performances, but also the energy and excitement created when great artists react and respond to each other. I will admit that having the opportunity to jam on the closing theme with so many great players and singers was beyond my wildest dreams."
Performance highlights from the series have been released in a DVD/CD set called Showcase, which is now available in your local record store and online. The first season has been released on three volumes which are also available in your local record store and online. All volumes include DVDs with companion audio CDs. To preview the series, visit LegendsofJazz.net.
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LEGENDS OF JAZZ tour info
This exciting tour features performances by Ramsey Lewis, Kurt Elling, Paquito D'Rivera, and Fourplay. Visit www.legendsofjazz.net/tour to learn more about the tour, hear performance clips from all the artists, and buy your tickets today! The national tour is part of AARP's 50th Anniversary year-long celebration. Many dates are already on sale, so don't miss your chance to see these amazing jazz artists live on tour! Visit the Tour Website today!
TOUR ARTIST BIOS:
Ramsey Lewis
Pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis’ music education began with his early gospel roots and classical training, though he gained popularity and critical acclaim with such hits as “The ‘In’ Crowd” and “Hang on Sloopy.” Lewis has seven gold records and three Grammy Awards to his credit. In addition to recording albums and performing, he hosts a weekday morning drive-time radio show, “The Ramsey Lewis Morning Show” – as well as the 2-hour weekly “LEGENDS OF JAZZ with Ramsey Lewis,” both of which are syndicated nationwide. Ramsey also acts as host of the public television series LEGENDS OF JAZZ with Ramsey Lewis. Ramsey was recently named an NEA Jazz Master, which is considered the “Oscar of Jazz.”
Paquito D’Rivera
Cuban-born clarinetist, saxophonist, composer, and child prodigy Paquito D’Rivera is an artist whose music crosses over genre boundaries. Throughout his 50+ years as a musician D’Rivera has won three Grammy Awards and five Latin Grammy Awards as both an artist and a composer in the Latin, Jazz, and Classical genres. Among his many honors, in 2005 D’Rivera was named an NEA Jazz Master, and in March 2007 he was honored with the Living Jazz Legend Award in a ceremony at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The National Hispanic Academy of Media Arts and Sciences also paid tribute to Mr. D'Rivera with their Annual Achievement in Music Award for his "outstanding body of work" along with Dizzy Gillespie and Gato Barbieri.
Fourplay
Fourplay is the four member international contemporary jazz super-group that has been performing together and making hits since 1991. This all-star group is comprised of keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, drummer Harvey Mason, and guitarist Larry Carlton who replaced Lee Ritenour in 1998. Fourplay’s music borders on jazz with strong improvisations mixed in with large doses of pop and R&B, and this mixture of genres has captivated audiences worldwide and sold millions of Fourplay albums. All 10 of Fourplay’s released albums have peaked at a top five spot on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Chart, and their most current release, X, garnered a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Fourplay has recently signed with Heads Up Records.
