Contemporary Jazz icon Ramsey Lewis holds a permanent place in Jazz history, not just for his pedigree as a composer and pianist, but for his constant motion and embrace of new styles. From The Ramsey Lewis Trio through to Urban Knights, Lewis has consistently released music that fits the time while preserving the heart of Jazz. An NEA Jazz Master, a prominent radio host in the Legends of Jazz series, and a persistent supporter of mentorship for young musicians, Ramsey Lewis is a living legend and a role model of musical expression and statesmanship.

After a rumored retirement in spring of 2018, Lewis reinvigorated his commitment to music and set continued tour dates for 2018 and 2019. In August he returned to the studio after signing with Ropeadope, where he joins a range of progressive musicians such as Terrace Martin, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Aaron Parks, and Eddie Palmieri. The new album will be a new visitation of the Urban Knights era, an all-star jazz, R&B and funk band which features Grammy nominated guitarist Henry Johnson, drummer Charles Heath, bassist Joshua Ramos and keyboardist Tim Gant, along with some special guests from within the Ropeadope roster.

‘It is with great pride that we welcome Mr. Lewis to the Ropeadope family. Our role is to honor the vast history of Jazz and to support those artists that carry the legacy yet also remain progressive to build the next chapter of Jazz history’ (Louis Marks, Ropeadope)