Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Ramsey Lewis Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1126
Creators:
Lewis, Ramsey (1935-2022)
Ramsey Lewis Trio
Dates:
1945-2009, undated
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
3.45 Cubic feet
9 boxes
Repository:
Collection includes press clippings, awards, honorary degrees, and photographs of Ramsey Lewis Jr., renowned jazz pianist. The majority of the collection is press clippings relating to Lewis's social appearances, performances, and CD releases from the early 1990s-2007.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection documents the life and career of Ramsey Lewis Jr., famous jazz pianist, and later, host of a popular syndicated radio talk show and television program. Though the majority of the collection consists of press clippings relating to Lewis's social appearances, performances, and CD releases from the early 1990s to the present, it also includes photographs from his early life and career, as well as selected correspondence tied heavily to events mentioned in the press clippings and a very small amount of personal materials. The collection contains programs and menus from social and fundraising galas, newspaper clippings, magazine articles, photographs, slides, awards, honorary degrees and diplomas, and a medal. Those interested in Ramsey Lewis, as well as the social scene of Chicago in the 1990s, will find this collection useful.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is divided into five series.
Series 1, Professional Materials, 1993-2007, undated
Series 2, Personal Materials, 1950-1994, undated
Series 3, Awards, Honors, and Honorary Degrees, 1989-2009, undated
Series 4, Photographic Materials, 1945-2007, undated
Series 5, Scrapbooks, 1972-1982, undated

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Ramsey Emmanuel Lewis Jr., an American jazz composer and pianist, was born in Chicago, Illinois to Ramsey Lewis Sr. and Pauline Lewis on May 27, 1935. His musical training began at the age of four with piano lessons. Lewis has achieved much success as a musician, as well as, a radio and television talk show host. In addition, he has organized and served for a number of educational programs in an effort to promote jazz. He has received recognition and numerous awards for his work.

Administration

Author
Vanessa Broussard-Simmons
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated by Ramsey Lewis Jr. in March 2008.
Processing Information
Sarah Allan, volunteer, 2008; Tiffany Draut, intern, 2008; Anne Jones, volunteer, 2012; and Reuben Jackson, archivist, 2008; supervised by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, supervisory archivist, 2008.
Accruals
Additional materials were added to the collection in March 2009.

Using the Collection

Preferred Citation
Ramsey Lewis Collection, 1945-2009, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research use.

Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
John and Devra Hall Levy Papers, NMAH.AC.1221
W. Royal Stokes Collection, of Music Publicity Photoprints, Interviews and Posters, NMAH.AC.0766
Smithsonian Jazz Oral History Program Collection, NMAH.AC.0808
Pat and Chuck Bress Jazz Portrait Photographs, NMAH.AC.1219
Frank Schiffman Apollo Theatre Collection, NMAH.AC.0540

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Photographs -- 2000-2010 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Menus Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Programs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Jazz -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African American entertainers -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musicians -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Music -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pianists Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- 1950-2000 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Popular music -- 20th century -- United States Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
African American musicians Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Correspondence -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Compact discs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Diplomas Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Awards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Medals Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Poitier, Sidney Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Robinson, Jackie Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wilson, Nancy, 1937- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cole, Nat King, 1917-1965 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Taylor, Billy Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Wonder, Stevie Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bennett, Tony, 1926- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Lewis, Jerry, 1926- Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu