Praise for Books
“Ramsey Lewis is a man who has touched all of our lives. Not everybody finds their calling in life as a four-year-old boy sitting at a piano in the living room, but ever since he did he’s filled our lives with music and with joy.” —President Barack Obama
“This book is a treasure chest of jazz history, and one gets a chance to be a painting on the walls of sorts to some of the most iconic moments in the life and times of the great Ramsey Lewis. Ramsey is true music royalty. A great mentor, family, and friend. His legacy reigns on. Fantastic read.” —Philip Bailey, Grammy-winning lead singer of Earth, Wind & Fire
“Dion Graham’s brisk pacing works well to invite listeners into the energetic life and career of jazz icon Ramsey Lewis…This audiobook defines an important American musician who made major contributions to twentieth-century jazz.” —AudioFile
“Lewis provides a straightforward, candid, and lively account of his more than sixty-year-long musical journey that will appeal to general readers and jazz fans.” —Library Journal
“Poignant…Lewis’s artistry is on full display (documented in an annotated discography) even as Cohen laments that Lewis has been overlooked in jazz history texts. Gentleman of Jazz, he notes, ‘is intended to help correct the blanks in that historical record.’ It does so with grace and, yes, a gentlemanly dignity.” —Booklist
“I discovered Ramsey Lewis’s artistry and his wonderful storytelling ability on the piano when I was fourteen years old. When I met him at the Hampton House in 1962 I also discovered what a most gracious and generous gentleman he was. These qualities emboldened my desire to play music and tell my story with the piano. I am so happy that he now told us his story in words in this fascinating account.” —Monty Alexander, Grammy-nominated, award-winning jazz pianist
“Ramsey Lewis was pure class. A role model indeed. He mentored a generation or more of musicians that went on to lead, discover, and create their own brand of music. He had such a distinct sound. As soon as he put his hands on the keys, you felt at ease. The trio recordings are groundbreaking. No one had ever mastered covering current pop songs in an instrumental soul jazz setting and top the charts. They would burst out of the radio and you felt as if you were there in the club, having fun, grooving, a witness to something glorious…Ramsey and Chicago are synonymous.” —Steve Jordan, the Rolling Stones
“As a fellow Chicagoan and jazz artist, I am grateful for Gentleman of Jazz because it beautifully brings his life back to us—his family, memories, influences, artistic evolution, rich collaborations, innovative bridge building of jazz, gospel and R & B, as well as his love and passions that inspired a momentous life well lived.” —Ann Hampton Callaway, Tony nominee, Broadway star, and jazz great
“Don’t miss this superb memoir filled with fascinating encounters with the likes of Barack Obama, Aretha Franklin, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and scores of other well-known personalities and top music superstars. This captivating book captures Ramsey’s life as a hitmaker, virtuoso jazz pianist, radio and television personality, humanitarian, and so much more.” —Rick Bleiweiss, Grammy-nominated record producer and award-winning, bestselling author
“If there was a Mt. Rushmore of Jazz, Ramsey would easily be immortalized in stone. His storytelling, like his music, is elegant, profound and blissful.” —Barry Avrich, director and producer, Oscar Peterson: Black + White
“The accolades and the audiences agree: Ramsey Lewis was a jazz legend. How lucky we are to have his incredible six-decade career on record and, thanks to this book, recounted through these anecdotes, where his generosity as a musician and a human being shines through.” —Mark Selby, producer, Oscar Peterson: Black + White
“As his first radio producer Ramsey Lewis became more of a father figure to me than someone I worked with. As if he didn’t have enough sons he adopted me and taught me discipline in love, family, spirituality, humility, positivity and artistic integrity. When I heard that Aaron Cohen was chosen to help with his autobiography, I called Ram and told him if he would’ve asked me who should do it, I would’ve said Aaron. It’s not only Ram’s music history that comes through in these pages but all those essentials of life that he taught me and lived in his own life. Kudos to Mr. Cohen.” —Mark Ruffin, program director, Real Jazz, Sirius XM
“It’s not only Ram’s music history that comes through in these pages but all those essentials of life that he taught me and lived in his own life. Kudos to Mr. Cohen.” —Mark Ruffin, program director, Real Jazz, Sirius XM
