Ramsey Lewis to Compose Lincoln Work

By Associated Press

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. (AP) – Add a musical composition to all the tributes at next year’s 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

Ramsey Lewis has been commissioned to compose a new work inspired by Lincoln’s life. It’s being commissioned by the Ravinia Festival, a musical festival north of Chicago. Ravinia has already asked choreographer Bill T. Jones to create a dance theater work as part of the seasonlong celebration of Lincoln.

The 73-year-old Lewis, Ravinia’s artistic director for jazz, said he was pleased that the Lincoln celebration will feature the works of two black people – Jones and himself.

Lewis also said it is appropriate that Lincoln’s story should be told through the “purely American music” of jazz.

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