Victor Lewis: Biography

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• Mike Melillo

• Gerald Cleaver

• Carla Bley
• Guido Manusardi

• Grey

• Woody Shaw
• Rufus Reid
• Steve Turre
• Kenny Barron
• Stan Getz
• Michael Cuscuna
• Bobby Watson

Born:

May 20, 1950 in Omaha, NE

Genres:

Classical Music, Jazz Music, Bop Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Low

Ratings Guide

A major drummer since the 1980's who is capable of swinging hard in a variety of modern settings, Victor Lewis has been a strong asset on a countless number of sessions. His parents were musicians who toured with territory bands. Lewis studied cello, piano (he had four years of classical lessons) and then drums. His first gigs were when he was 15 and he was a music major at the University of Nebraska. After his band opened for Herbie Hancock's Sextet in 1972, Lewis was encouraged by Buster Williams and Billy Hart to move to New York. After a brief stay in Minnesota, Lewis did relocate to NY in 1974 and soon he was in great demand. He performed with many top artists including Woody Shaw, Carla Bley, Kenny Barron, David Sanborn, Dexter Gordon and (during 198091) Stan Getz. For a period in the 1990's he was well featured with Horizon (a group he coled with Bobby Watson). In addition to his playing abilities, Lewis is wellknown for encouraging young talent while his compositional skills have resulted in some of his songs being recorded by other jazz musicians. Victor Lewis has led sessions of his own for Red, AudioQuest and Enja.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide