Ramsey Lewis Trio Performs At Napa Valley Opera

Forty years ago the Ramsey Lewis Trio released "The 'In' Crowd," bringing a new sound to the forefront of music--cool jazz wound with a groove of impeccable taste. The Ramsey Lewis Trio will perform past hits and new songs at the Napa Valley Opera House on Wednesday, March 7 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $55.

Forty years later the recently designated "Jazz Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts, is still breaking new ground while expanding the reach of jazz. In 2006, Lewis hosted "Legends of Jazz," the first-ever PBS television series devoted entirely to jazz. And while he revisits his classic urban radio hits "The 'In' Crowd" and "Wade In The Water"on his latest CD "Time Flies," he has updated them with a keen ear for the modern and a spare hand to retain the essentials which initially made these tunes hits. On the rest of the project, Ramsey digs deep into his roots to bring some gospel energy and emotional songs to the fore; harkening back to his teen years and Sunday performances at his hometown Church.

Since the release of "The 'In' Crowd," Ramsey has been awarded three Grammys, seven Gold albums and has hosted several radio programs including the award-winning radio show, also titled "Legends of Jazz," broadcasted over 70 stations in the US. His most recent duo album with Nancy Wilson, "Simple Pleasures," was awarded a 2004 NAACP Image Award.

Quincy Jones raves, "Ramsey has gone back to his roots!...he has tapped into a new vein of inspiration - [this] is some of his best playing in years!" -- www.napavalleyoperahouse.org