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Ramsey Lewis
Ramsey Lewis
Date Posted: November 02 2010
Written By: chicago jazz
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The Kennedy Center presents
East Coast Premiere of
Pianist and Composer Ramsey Lewis’
Proclamation of Hope: A Symphonic Poem
Sunday, November 14, 2010, Concert Hall
Epic eight-movement work features 23 musicians, vocals and mixed-media visual presentation
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the East Coast premiere of three-time Grammy Award winning jazz legend Ramsey Lewis’ most passionate and ambitious composition to date, Proclamation of Hope: A Symphonic Poem, Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Proclamation of Hope was written in commemorationof Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, and reflects upon significant events in or inspired by the life and legacy of the United State’s sixteenth President. The work is performed by 23 musicians, including Lewis, a jazz ensemble and vocalist Dee Alexander.
Composed by Ramsey Lewis and scored by Scott Hall for wind ensemble, rhythm section and voice, the work is organized in eight movements that draw upon jazz, gospel and blues. Each movement was inspired by an actual historical event from or impacted by Lincoln’s life and vision for America, and considers Lincoln’s profound and lasting influence the United States’ quest to become “a more perfect Union.” The music is performed against visual designer Michael Coakes’ sweeping mixed-media tableau of historic images and photos. University of Pennsylvania music professor Guthrie P. Ramsey, author of “Race Music: Black Cultures from Bebop to Hip-Hop,” worked with Lewis to provide accompanying written notes. The critically-hailed symphonic piece debuted at Ravinia Festival in suburban Chicago in 2009, where Chicago Tribune jazz critic Howard Reich called it “stirring…some of the most eloquent music of Lewis' career.” Hall will conduct the performance; Lewis’ collaborators Josh Ramos (bass) and Leon Joyce (drums) also will perform.
The Kennedy Center performance of Proclamation of Hope: A Symphonic Poem will be produced for future national broadcast by Chicago public television station WTTW.
Musical legend Ramsey Lewis has been referred to as “the great performer,” trained and adept in many musical genres, but best know as a one of the world’s leading jazz performers and ambassadors. Lewis has in recent years embarked on a new phase of his career as an acclaimed composer with the debut of To Know Her, a ballet commissioned by the Joffrey Ballet in 2007; Proclamation of Hope: A Symphonic Poem; and, most recently, Colors - The Ecology of Onenesswhich debuted in Japan in September 2010. In 2009, Lewis released “Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey,” his first recording of original music.
Lewis first captivated fans with his debut album “Ramsey Lewis and The Gentlemen of Swing” by the Ramsey Lewis Trio in 1956. By 1965, he was recognized as one of the nation’s most successful jazz pianists, topping the charts with “The In Crowd,” “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade In The Water.” With more than 80 albums on his discography, Lewis is the recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award, four honorary doctorate degrees and numerous other accolades including seven gold records and three Grammy Awards.
Tickets for Proclamation of Hope are $20-$65 and can be purchased by visiting or calling the Box Office at (202) 467-4600
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