May 23, 2013 — vol. 48, no 42
‘Legends of Jazz’ coming to Worcester
Gifted pianist and jazz ambassador Ramsey Lewis will headline the Legends of Jazz Tour, presented by AARP, when it rolls through Worcester’s Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts on June 14. (Photo courtesy of Ramsey Lewis)
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| The members of Fourplay — (from left:) keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Larry Carlton and drummer Harvey Mason — have all proven their chops with successful solo careers. But it’s the music they make together that has kept them at the forefront of smooth jazz for the last 17 years, and that will be on display at the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts when the Legends of Jazz Tour comes to Worcester. (Photo courtesy of Fourplay) |
A variety of elegant jazz sounds will come to Worcester on the evening of June 14, when the Legends of Jazz Tour - featuring iconic pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis, Latin jazz master Paquito D’Rivera, contemporary jazz supergroup Fourplay and vocalist Kurt Elling - hits the city’s Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts.
Sponsored by AARP, the world’s largest advocacy organization for the 50-plus community, and in conjunction with the organization’s 50th anniversary, the 10-city tour is also the launching pad for the Legends Of Jazz/AARP Education Initiative.
“I believe music is a powerful force for individual self-awareness and positive social change,” said Lewis. “All of us on the Legends of Jazz Tour look forward to celebrating AARP’s 50th anniversary through the language of music and this very special educational initiative.”
Through the initiative, a group of local students in each tour city will be selected to attend a sound check before the evening’s show, meet Lewis, learn about his amazing career, and hopefully help foster their love of music.
Fourplay keyboardist Bob James highlighted Lewis’ “great reputation as a host” as a selling point for the tour.
“You couldn’t ask for a better spokesperson than he is, in addition to him being a great player,” James said.
During an illustrious career that has spanned more than 50 years, Lewis has made five gold records, including the hits “The In Crowd” and “Hang On Sloopy.” He has also earned three Grammy Awards and received the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Jazz Masters Award. These days, he hosts and co-produces the public television series “Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis,” as well as a weekly radio show of the same name.
(p2)