North Shore Senior Center Presents Ramsey Lewis

Composer, pianist and legendary jazzman Ramsey Lewis will be the featured speaker for North Shore Senior Center's 14th Annual Joan Golder Distinguished Senior Lecture on Tuesday, October 12, 2010. During this much-anticipated evening program, Lewis will speak about his "Observations on Life," and will also share his considerable musical talents with the audience. The lecture will take place at Christian Heritage Academy, 315 Waukegan Road, Northfield, at 8 p.m.

North Shore Senior Center's Joan Golder Distinguished Senior Lecture was established by the Golder Family in 1996 to honor Joan Golder's four years of service as president of NSSC's board of directors. The lecture features a well-known individual over the age of 50 who has contributed to the benefit of society. Since its inception, it has showcased many outstanding professionals, including author Judith Viorst, prize-winning historian David McCullough, Chicago Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz, Chicago Tribune Pulitzer Prize winner Clarence Page, White House correspondent Helen Thomas, Chicago newscaster Bill Kurtis and, most recently, historian Nell Irvin Painter.

Lewis, a native Chicagoan who received his early training in gospel and classical music, first captivated fans with his 1956 debut album "Ramsey Lewis and the Gentlemen of Swing" by the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Ten years later, he was considered one of the country's best jazz pianists, topping the charts with singles such as "The In Crowd," "Hang On Sloopy" and "Wade in the Water." He has three Grammy Awards and seven gold records to his credit.

In addition to recording albums and performing live, Lewis hosted WNUA-FM Chicago's weekday drive-time radio program "The Ramsey Lewis Morning Show" from 1997 to 2009. He also continues to host the syndicated "Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis," a radio show that airs in more than 75 cities throughout the United States.

Active in community efforts, especially on behalf of youth, Lewis serves on the board of trustees for the Merit School of Music, a Chicago inner-city music program. Lewis is also Artistic Director of Jazz at the Ravinia Festival and helped organize Ravinia's Jazz Mentor Program.

-- North Shore Senior Center