Tonight, legendary jazz pianist, composer and recording artist Ramsey Lewis brings the 2006 Bermuda Festival to a memorable close with the first of two performances by his Ramsey Lewis Trio at the Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts.

In what is billed as a 40th anniversary celebration of the breakthrough hit, ?The In Crowd?, also the eponymous name of his first Grammy Award-winning album, Mr. Lewis is doing it up in style with a new version, a new album (?With One Voice?), and a new tour.

Born in Chicago, Mr. Lewis began studying the basics and fundamentals of piano at age four, and later, inspired by another teacher, studied classical music.

Except for recordings his father played at home ? Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, and Mead Lux Lewis among them ? young Ramsey had no experience in playing jazz.

However, at age 15 a fellow church musician, Wallace Burton, asked him to join his jazz band, and coached the talented teen in the language of jazz. The emerging Ramsey Lewis Trio had its roots there as the rhythm section comprised Ramsey on piano, Eldee Young on bass, and Redd Holt on drums.

While jazz became a major voice in Mr. Lewis? life, European classical and gospel music were of almost equal importance.

By 1965 he was one of America?s most successful jazz pianists, topping the charts with the ?The In Crowd?, ?Hang on Sloopy? and ?Wade in the Water?.

Among the many awards received for his albums are three Grammys.

He is a two-time winner of the Personality of the Year award for the weekday radio show he hosts on WNUA-FM in Chicago.

He is also the founder of an institution bearing his name which is devoted to providing musical opportunities for youth, and is a founder/artistic director of a jazz festival mentor programme.

Jazz lovers can look forward to hearing updated versions of Mr. Lewis? big hits, as well as an exploration of all the diverse forms of music which have influenced him over the decades: classical, R&B, gospel and jazz. Joining him, as always, are Larry Gray (bass) and Leon Joyce (drums).

Ramsey Lewis Trio performances begin at 8 p.m. Please note: Doors to the theatre will close five minutes before each performance, and no further admissions will be made until the interval. For ticket information visit the Festival box office next to the ferry terminal on Front Street between noon and 2 p.m., or ( 292-8572.