Lewis will contribute a musical composition, while Jones is to create a dance theater work as part of Ravina's seasonlong celebration of Lincoln, reports the Associated Press.
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.
"I think it's extraordinary that in this year when an African-American has a viable shot at the White House that Ravinia would bookend its Lincoln celebration with the works from the black perspective," he said in a statement.
Lewis also found it appropriate that Lincoln's story will be told through the "purely American music" of jazz.
HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. - Add a musical composition to all the tributes to next year's 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.
Jazz great Ramsey Lewis has been commissioned to compose a new work inspired by Lincoln's life. The work is being commissioned by the Ravinia Festival, a musical festival north of Chicago. Ravinia has already asked choreographer Bill T. Jones to create a full-evening dance theater work as part of the season-long celebration of Lincoln.
And in the news release announcing Lewis' new untitled work, Ravinia said that it will present a number of programs focusing on Lincoln's life and the musicians of his day.
Lewis, Ravinia's artistic director for jazz, said he was pleased that the celebration of Lincoln will begin with the works of two black people, he and Jones.
"I think it's extraordinary that in this year when an African American has a viable shot at the White House that Ravinia would bookend its Lincoln celebration with the works from the black perspective," he said in a statement.
Lewis also said it is appropriate that Lincoln's story should be told through the "purely American music" of jazz.
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