Bet with you, that almost everybody has head the melody of 'Wade In The Water' before. And for that, the meanwhile 76 year old Jazzmusician from Chicago has received one of 3 Grammys back then in 1967. 
Ramsey started very early with the music and formed his first Jazz band aged 15 named The Cleffs. And it was the year 1966 , when he celebrated his biggest success, with the - mentioned above song, but also with 'In The Crowd' and his version of 'Hang On Sloopy'. Later on, Ramsey founded the Ramsey Lewis trio. And that one is still existing. Well and next to all of that, he's also a wellknown Radio DJ in the Chicago area hosting his own smooth jazz program. The famous Jazzmusician can look back not only onto 60 years carriere, but also onto 70 albums including many Best of Compilations.
Ramsey Lewis is still living in Chicago with his seven children, 14 grand children and one grand-grandson. But the healthy looking musician doesn't even think about to stop. And so he once again is back to Europe, including this show here at Munich's No. 1 Hotel - Bayerischer Hof and it's nightclub. 
(by the way, I'm here in private without my big camerastuff, so please excuse the unprofessional pocketcam pics) 
And Ramsey Lewis has not come with his trio this time but with the Electric Band, consisting about from himself of: 
Bassist Joshua Ramos, Charles Heath on drums, Henry Johnson on guitar and Tim Gant on Keyboard. Those are all great musicians from the Chicago Scene.  And the whole group has come along to promote the newest CD 'Taking Another Look'- 
 


His song strategy  hasn't changed much over the years, and Ramsey still goes for sophisticated Bar jazz, but with an individual note. And he's taking on some John Coltraine pieces which ain't easy to play, as we all know within the Jazz fan circles. That's why these pieces of music do sound different, and you've got to get used to it. But again, this doesn't mean - it's bad. 
Unfortunately tonight ain't a too good day what's up to the small audiance, or this event has not been promoted properly - who knows! But it definately seems so, that these people here in the audiance are those hotel guests who are staying in this house anyway, despite a few exeptions including myself.

Despite the usual rules at this place, Ramsey and his Electric Band play only one set, whereby the mastro practices posh understatement. He gives his collegues the chance for a small individual stint, not that much, but enough to realize the musical quality of those guys.  Next to his own music out of his endless back catalogue and from the new album of course, also the John Coltrains stuff, he as a matter of course performs his 3 most famous songs, most of all 'Wade In The Water'

Let's put it that way, you certainly have to bring along a bit of understanding and love for Jazz. On the other hand the jazz of Ramsey Lewis is a rather easy listening one, compared to some smashers of Miles Davis for instance. 
Well, how shall I say, this here is a neat little concert of a fine elderly Gentleman, who carries a big name in the Jazz genre. And he has defended his reputation once again. I mean, don't forget, a 90 minutes performance like this are pretty good for a 76 year old. But Ramsey is a professionell, who owns a lot of experience and the know how. 
And as a decent Bar entertainment  Ramsey's music is also great for the average music lover which you can see this at the reaction of the 50 something guests here.  And the sinful 8 Euros for a glas of wine are worth while.
 http://www.ramseylewis.com/