Jazz
musician and virtuoso, Ramsey Lewis, received a unique honor Oct. 12 from
residents of the senior high-rise community he lives in.
Residents
of The Clare at Water Tower presented their inaugural Joie de Vivre (joy of
living) award to Lewis during an afternoon ceremony that included an appearance
by state Rep. Kenneth Dunkin, D-5th Dist., and featured as special impromptu
piano solo by the honoree.
Also
participating in the celebration was Merit Honors Jazz Combo of the Merit
School of Music.
Betty
Bergstrom, head of the Clare Resident Council told the intimate crowd at the
ceremony that Lewis had experienced the joy of living “through his artistic and
education contributions.”
In
accepting his award, Lewis said, “To me, the joy of living is actually the joy
of sharing.”
The award
is “given to an outstanding senior who has dedicated his life...to making a
difference in the world,” said Bergstrom.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
