Get on Board: Ramsey Lewis

Ramsey Lewis performs at the 2011 Soul Train Awards.

Golden Boy\r - Ramsey has received three Grammys and seven gold records in his boastful 55-year career. (Photo: Marc Hauser Photography Ltd/Getty Images)

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Golden Boy\r - Ramsey has received three Grammys and seven gold records in his boastful 55-year career. (Photo: Marc Hauser Photography Ltd/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Marc Hauser Photography Ltd/Getty Images

Living Legend\r - By 1965, Ramsey was one of the most successful pianists in jazz, staying at the top of the charts with hits like “The In Crowd,” “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water.”(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Living Legend\r - By 1965, Ramsey was one of the most successful pianists in jazz, staying at the top of the charts with hits like “The In Crowd,” “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water.”(Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Making the Band\r - At 15 years old, Ramsey joined his first jazz band — The Cleffs — and later formed the Ramsey Lewis Band. (Photo: Gai Terrell/Redferns)

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Making the Band\r - At 15 years old, Ramsey joined his first jazz band — The Cleffs — and later formed the Ramsey Lewis Band. (Photo: Gai Terrell/Redferns)

On the Radio - Ramsey hosts the syndicated “Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis,” a two-hour radio program which airs in over 65 cities throughout the U.S. (Photo: Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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On the Radio - Ramsey hosts the syndicated “Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis,” a two-hour radio program which airs in over 65 cities throughout the U.S. (Photo: Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Headliner - Ramsey has performed with over 25 symphony orchestras in the U.S. and Canada and has performed in concert and at festivals throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico and the Caribbean. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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Headliner - Ramsey has performed with over 25 symphony orchestras in the U.S. and Canada and has performed in concert and at festivals throughout Europe, Japan, Mexico and the Caribbean. (Photo: Andrew Lepley/Redferns)

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On Screen\r - In the early 90’s, Ramsey was chosen as the face of BET Jazz and even hosted his own show on BET called Sound & Style.(Photo: David Redfern/Redferns)

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On Screen\r - In the early 90’s, Ramsey was chosen as the face of BET Jazz and even hosted his own show on BET called Sound & Style.(Photo: David Redfern/Redferns)

Practice Makes Perfect - Ramsey practices up to six hours a day at a 44-year-old Steinway piano. (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)

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Practice Makes Perfect - Ramsey practices up to six hours a day at a 44-year-old Steinway piano. (Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov)

Photo By Photo: Chicago Tribune/MCT /Landov

80 and Counting\r - Ramsey released his latest album, Ramsey: Taking Another Look, earlier this fall. This CD marks Ramsey’s 80th album.(Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

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80 and Counting\r - Ramsey released his latest album, Ramsey: Taking Another Look, earlier this fall. This CD marks Ramsey’s 80th album.(Photo: Peter Kramer/Getty Images)

Pay It Forward\r - In 2005, Ramsey created the Ramsey Lewis Foundation to help connect at-risk children to the world of music. (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

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Pay It Forward\r - In 2005, Ramsey created the Ramsey Lewis Foundation to help connect at-risk children to the world of music. (Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

Around the World and Back Again  - Catch Ramsey on “The Sun Goddess Tour” from now through 2012 with a five-piece electric band. (Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser)

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Around the World and Back Again  - Catch Ramsey on “The Sun Goddess Tour” from now through 2012 with a five-piece electric band. (Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser)

Photo By Photo: REUTERS/Fred Prouser