Officially calling quits to his touring schedule, piano legend Ramsey Lewis still refuses to sit still, as exemplified by this recent album. The 84 year old jazz vet teams up with Henry Johnson/g, Charles Heath/dr, Tim Gant/key and Joshua Ramos/b for wider ranging collection that shows the breath and width of his strengths, with colors of soul and straight-ahead blending in together seamlessly. He shows his spiritual upbringing on a gorgeous and personal solo read of “Dear Lord,” book-ending the album with a relaxed “Trees.” A duet with Ramos results in a lush silhouette of “I’ll Never Forget You” that can only be performed by someone who knows what not to play.
In a band format, he mixes piano and keys for a funky and upbeat “Tequila Mockingbird” and a soulful “Sharing Her Journey.” Vocalist Dee Alexander adds to the groove of “The Shape Of My Heart” while Maurice Brown’s autumnal trumpet teams with Ramos’ supple bass for a romantic “The Rose.” Lewis shows he still has some dirt under those polished nails as he and the gents dig in for a shuffling “Baby What You Want Me To Do.” Through it here and his career, Lewis oozes with class.