The story behind puzzle No. 62
Ramsey Lewis Trio · The In Crowd · Argo · 1965
A pop song, recorded live in a Washington, D.C., jazz club with the audience clapping along, became a Top 10 hit.
The Ramsey Lewis Trio recorded The "In" Crowd live at the Bohemian Caverns in Washington, D.C., in May 1965. Argo released the album, with Esmond Edwards producing.
The single reached number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 2 on the R&B chart. The album went to number 2 on the pop chart and number 1 on the R&B chart.
The album won the 1966 Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Performance, and the title track was nominated for Record of the Year.
The song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2009.
Billy Page wrote The "In" Crowd, and Dobie Gray's vocal version reached number 13 on the Hot 100 in early 1965.
Lewis took the pop tune and turned it into a piano groove, with the club audience supplying the handclaps and shouts.
Listen to the crowd, which is practically a fourth member of the band.
Eldee Young's bass and Redd Holt's drums keep a deep groove while Lewis mixes gospel chords and bluesy runs.
Who's on it
Keep listening
For another live-in-the-room crossover hit, revisit Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (puzzle No. 16).
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