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Mel Lewis
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Lewis, best known for his small group approach to big band drumming, was one of the first drummers to vary the ride cymbal beat, giving the music a loose and swinging feel. His commanding presence never dominated the spotlight and always stressed the interplay between the band members. "How much you stick in depends on how much you can hear," Lewis explained, "and if you're really hearing, you'll put in only what's necessary." Mel Lewis was born Melvin Sokoloff in Buffalo, New York to Russian immigrant parents. His father was a drummer in the Buffalo area who inspired his son to follow in his footsteps from an early age. Still in his mid-teens, young Lewis played with nationally known jazz musicians Harold Austin and Lenny Lewis. Early credits also include stints with Bernie Burns (1946), Boyd Raeburn (1948), Alvino Rey (1948-9), Ray Anthony (1949-50, 1953-54), and Tex Beneke (1950-53). In 1954 he joined Stan Kenton's band, playing alongside such musicians as Jimmy Giuffre, Maynard Ferguson, Laurindo Almeida, Vido Musso, and vocalist June Christy. During his three-year tenure with Kenton, Lewis also worked and recorded with the Frank Rosolino quintet and the Hampton Hawes Trio. In 1957, Lewis settled in Los Angeles where he led a quintet with another ex-Kenton sideman, saxophonist Bill Holman. He worked with the big bands of Gerald Wilson and Terry Gibbs, recording with the latter between 1959-62. The early 1960's saw Lewis in New York with the Gerry Mulligan Concert Jazz Band, in Europe with Dizzy Gillespie, and in Russia with Benny Goodman. Lewis moved to New York in 1963 and formed a big band with trumpeter Thad Jones two years later. The Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra performed and recorded extensively, garnering rave reviews and awards. Their performance on the album “Live in Munich” earned them a Grammy Award in 1979. The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, played some of the most progressive big band charts since the swing era. The band had its own unique style, along the lines of big band swing, bebop, and hardbop. The sound was powerful, fast, intellectual, and fun. After twelve productive years, Jones left for Europe and Lewis assumed sole leadership of the band. With the departure of Jones, the Kansas City-born trombonist / pianist / arranger Bob Brookmeyer assisted in the musical direction of the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Lewis established a residency at the prestigious Village Vanguard in New York City which spanned over two decades. He performed there until one month prior to his death in 1990. Mel Lewis was the recipient of numerous awards, including fourteen Grammy nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, with one win in '79. Lewis authored a drumming method book It's Time for the Big Band Drummer (Kendor Music Co., 1978) and taught workshops on jazz drumming at William Patterson State College in New Jersey.
James Brandon Lewis: Jazz, Spirituality, and the Art and Science of Musical Abstraction
by Dave Kaufman
The contemporary jazz world is currently witnessing an artistic renaissance, characterized by an upsurge in creativity and innovation. This movement is fueled in part by rising stars such as Joel Ross, Immanuel Wilkins, and Isaiah Collier, as well as seasoned veterans like Charles Lloyd, David Murray, William Parker, Joe Lovano, and Bill Frisell, whose creative passion ...
Meet Drummer Danny Gottlieb
by Mike Brannon
This article was first published at All About Jazz in January 2001. If you don't know drummer Danny Gottlieb or you know him from only the earliest incarnations of the Pat Metheny Group, there's a lot you don't know about this talented, multi-faceted musician. Not complacent to rest on past laurels of any kind, ...
Interview with Joe Lovano
by Mark Felton
This interview was first published at All About Jazz in 1996. All About Jazz: The author of the liner notes of your latest release Quartets suggests that the current trend in jazz is towards a dialogue between the avant-garde and the tradition. How do you interpret that? Joe Lovano: Well, I don't ...
Pepper Adams: Saxophone Trailblazer
by David A. Orthmann
Pepper Adams: Saxophone Trailblazer Gary Carner 240 ISBN: #9781438494357 Excelsior Editions2023 Baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams was essential to this reviewer's formative years as a jazz enthusiast. During the 1970s, in Storrs, Connecticut, New York City, northern New Jersey, and Kansas City, Missouri, I had many opportunities to witness ...
Kate Gentile's New Opus, Music For Hi-Fi Bugs, David S. Ware
by David Brown
This week, an ambitious electro-acoustic release from drummer/composer Kate Gentile; big band works from Benny Carter, Pete Rugolo, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis and Gard Nelssen; Ellingtonia from the '60s new thing, and finally a birthday remembrance of David S. Ware. Old, new, in, out... wherever the music takes us. Each week, we will explore the elements of ...
Kirk Works, Gospel Roots, New Releases
by David Brown
For this week's show, a set of works featuring Rahsaan Roland Kirk, gospel inspired tracks from James Brandon Lewis and Ray Bryant, solo piano from Mal Waldron and Matthew Shipp, and new releases from Eri Yamamoto (pictured), Anna Webber, Hiromi and more. Playlist Thelonious Monk “Esistrophy (Theme)" from Live at the It Club-Complete (Columbia) ...
Sam Rivers Centennial + New John Zorn Works
by David Brown
For this week's show, we celebrate the centennial of the birth of composer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Rivers; along the way we'll here a short vocal set and some recent releases from John Zorn. Playlist Thelonious Monk “Esistrophy (Theme)" from Live at the It Club--Complete (Columbia) 01:50 Helen Merrill, Clifford Brown “Hush Now Don't Explain" ...
Love for Sale: Cole Porter from Ella to Iyer + Drinking Songs
by David Brown
In week's edition we honor a variety of musicians whose date of birth coincides with this weekend (Pine Top Smith, Hazel Scott, Kenny Barron, Jimmie Lunceford, Jamaaladeen Tacuma). We'll also celebrate the 132nd birthday of composer and song writer Cole Porter as interpreted by a variety of artist thought the evening. Drinking songs will follow, then ...
Red Garland Centennial, Bigger Band Works, $8 Finds
by David Brown
Join us for another week of the Jazz Continuum. Old, new, in, out, where ever the music takes us. Each week we explore the elements of jazz form a historical perspective. This week we take a look at some new releases form Artemis, Lesley Moc and Michael Formanek, celebrate the centennial birthday of Red Garland, and ...
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