Ramsey Lewis and his Gentle-men of Swing
Released 1956
Recording and Session Information
Chicago, Illinois 1956
Ramsey Lewis, piano; Eldee Young, bass; Redd Holt, drums
8242 Carmen
8243 The wind
8244 Bei mir bist du schon
8245 I'll remember April
8246 My funny Valentine
8247 Steeplechase
Chicago, Illinois 1956
8324 Fantasia for drums
8325 Jumpin' Jaque (unissued)
8326 Dee's new blues
8327 Trees
8328 Limelight
8329 Untitled (unissued)
Track Listing
| Carmen | Public Domain | 1956 |
| I'll Remember April | Raye, De Paul, Johnston | 1956 |
| The Wind | Russ Freeman | 1956 |
| Bie Mir Bist Du Schoen | Jacobs, Cahn, Chaplin, Secunda | 1956 |
| My Funny Valentine | Rodgers, Hart | 1956 |
| Fantasia For Drums | Ramsey Lewis | 1956 |
| Dee's New Blues | El Dee Young | 1956 |
| Tres | Ramsey Lewis | 1956 |
| Limelight | Gerry Mulligan | 1956 |
Liner Notes
Drums: Isaac "Red" Holt
A fine drummer from Chicago's West Side who studied at the Chicago School Of Music. While working at Union Park Temple he completed rhythm section for jazz luminaries James Moody, Lester Young and the late Charlie Parker.
"Red" tries to show, in his playing, that the drum is not just an instrument to pound on or carry a rhythm, but that it can also be played melodically. That it can "speak to you in melody."
Bass: El Dee Young
A young bassist whose intricate work reveals his early guitar study.
He studied bass at the American Conservatory of Music.
El Dee is trying to exploit the full potentials of the bass – not simply confine it to the rhythm section. In this he follows the tradition of Percy Heath, Ray Brown and Oscar Pettiford.
Piano: Ramsey Lewis
A Chicagoan who has won awards for his piano artistry from the National Federation of Music Clubs and American Society of Musicians as well as scholarships to Roosevelt University and Chicago Musical College.
At first a classical pianist who, after hearing such moderns as Art Tatum, Bud Powell and John Lewis turned to modern jazz.
While Ramsey plays a superb solo piano, his aim – visibly apparent in this LP – is to present the trio as a unified musical unit.
RAMSEY LEWIS ALBUM
You lovers of modern sounds...this is a pleasure...we treasure...beyond measure. Introducing Ramsey Lewis amd his gentle, gentlemen of modern swing.
Upon first hearing this group we felt that all to long they had languished in jazz spots where no one listened. This group need the "ears" of the more astute jazz listeners, because their work is in the modern tradtion of the Chico Hamilton group, and the Modern Jazz Quartet. with this thought, notice the extremely wrought arrangements, the delicate instrumental balance and the superbly unified effect their work gives.
This L.P. was designed with you...the discriminiating music lover in mind.
Hearing this group is like meeting a beautiful woman...each meeting a unique and delightful experience.
Now for some musical excitement and delightment...open the arms of this L.P...and let the subtle sounds of the trio caress your ears.
Your musical host who loves you the most.
Swingcerely yours,
Holmes Daddy-O Daylie
W.M.A.Q
N.B.C. Chicago
Billboard - April 29, 1957:
As a jazz pianist, classically trained Ramsey Lewis plays much in the economical introspective style of another Lewis – John. His trio is the chamber-soft tradition of the other Lewis' group, the MJQ. It's a deft, unified musical unit, but the "blowing" is limited. However, this LP is recommended for the sheer competence of the players, and its almost certain sales appeal to buyers on the jazz-classical periphery – those attracted by thoughtful, if somewhat restrained, jazz packages.
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