Events › Ramsey Lewis, Richard Davis & the Chicago Jazz-Classical Continuum

Aaron Cohen discusses the connections between two Chicago-born Jazz Masters: The pianist Ramsey Lewis and bassist Richard Davis, and explains how both musicians drew on classical music in different ways to make indelible marks on music. 

Cohen will also talk about their different work in pop (spanning folk, rock, R&B and Broadway) and experiencing transcending local segregation to become globally acclaimed artists. Cohen co-wrote Lewis' 2023 memoir, 'Gentleman Of Jazz: A Life In Music' (Blackstone Publishing) and is currently working to complete Davis' autobiography. His previous book, 'Move On Up: Chicago Soul Music and Black Cultural Power' (University of Chicago Press) looked at the cultural changes surrounding R&B in his hometown during the 1960s and 1970s.