Vel Lewis Musician - All About Jazz

Updated: January 6, 2024

Born: November 30, 1954

Vel Lewis (legal name is Velbert Lewis, Jr.) is an American contemporary jazz musician born on November 30, 1954, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His primary instrument of choice is the Hammond organ; however he also plays piano, synthesizer keyboards, drums, and electric bass guitar.

He began his music career in 1965 as a 1st soprano vocalist with the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir under the direction of Dr. Carlton J. Lake. He attended Settlement Music School for vocal/piano training. He also began studies on concert flute. In 1966, he switched from flute to organ, and advanced to 1st soprano soloist in the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir Small Ensemble group. In 1967, he traveled with the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir Small Ensemble to Montreal, Canada and appeared at Expo ’67 as lead soloist. In 1968, he continued organ studies on the Hammond organ with Mr. Milton Myers, then with Dr. E. Woodley Kalehoff, Sr., White House pianist to U.S. President Harry Truman in 1969 for three years. He attended Overbrook High School between 1969 and 1972. During these years, he performed on a televised jazz program playing organ with drummer Gerry Brown and bassist John Lee, and recorded Hammond organ on gospel recording sessions for ABC's Peacock Record label with producer Ira Tucker, Sr. for albums by groups known as The Sensational Nightingales, The Gospelaires, and The Dixie Hummingbirds. In 1972, he was under recording contract with Philadelphia International Records, performing with a vocal group known as "The Futures". The group was known for their single, "Love Is Here".

In 1973, he performed and traveled with another vocal group known as "The Delfonics" and co-wrote and sang the opening lead vocal on a song released in 1974 on the Warner Bros. Reprise label entitled "Tell Me Why" by The Life Group, also known as "Life". In 1990, he co-produced songs with Tom Borton on Borton's albums "Dancing With Tigers" and "The Lost World", released on the Mesa/Bluemoon Records label.

In 1995, he began composing music as a songwriter for Los Angeles Post Music, a production music library founded by Tom Borton. LA Post Music's tracks appear on popular TV shows "Sex And The City", "Friends", "Mad About You", and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Between the years 2003 through 2005, he performed on a World Tour with legendary singer Dionne Warwick. In 2005, he released his first solo debut album "All Wound Up" under the stage name of Shady Grady.

F2F Music Foundation forms partnership with Gilbreath Communications to promote opportunities to aspiring young musicians

Source: All About Jazz
December 14, 2020

Can improvisation be taught? According to F2F Music Foundation, the answer is a definite yes. F2F Music Foundation, a Houston area-based non-profit performing arts organization, is teaming up with Gilbreath Communications, Inc., to encourage young people to pursue their full potential musically and academically. Gilbreath will act as F2F’s public relations arm to inform young people and their parents about opportunities available through F2F. Founded by renowned contemporary jazz musician Vel Lewis, F2F works with local non-profit organizations and schools ...
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“So different and funky and refreshing. I'll be sure to play this song in days to come. It's special! Not a lot of artists tackle "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." A favorite of mine - and to hear it done like this is a gift.” - Trish Hennessey, Hybrid Jazz From Trish Hennessey

“LOVE IT!!!!! Thank you!!! You just made my day…” - Annie Latin Jazzy Rodriguez of “Up Close & Personal with Latin Jazzy”

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen . . . guaranteed to be a classic and something you'll want to hear each holiday season.” – Guy Michaels of “The J-Spot” TV show and KPVU 91.3 FM Morning Show, Houston Tony Currie, Director of Programmes, Radio Six International Glasgow, Scotland

“LOVE IT!!!!! Thank you!!! You just made my day…” - Annie Latin Jazzy Rodriguez of “Up Close & Personal with Latin Jazzy”

“Hi Vel… just to let you know, we’re playlisting “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from Saturday, Nov 29. It’s a great arrangement. We like it a lot. Best wishes for the album.” "Great track (Colors Of Soul) and excellent production! In rotation now. It's clear that Vel understands the "Smooth Jazz" mindset. Excellent track and superb production. Vel conveys the Smooth Jazz formula precisely." - Don Martin, Style Quarterly Radio.com

“Song For My Love...A cool retro Hammond B3 sound with a great melody and groove - familiar yet new!" - Ted Hasiuk, Jazzlynx

“Happy to add the single ("Colors Of Soul") to our network library and our Jazz stream.” - John Corcelli, Canadian Broadcasting Company

"Colors Of Soul is an excellent follow up to Velbert Lewis' Song For My Love. Colors Of Soul has an appealing rhythmic feel to the melody which seems to just glide along freely over the top. I have played the song many times on my two programs and when adding it to my playlist feel it adds to listener's enjoyment of the smooth format of the program. I look forward to hearing more from Velbert Lewis and wish him well." - John Holden, 2BACR FM 100.9, Sydney, Australia. "Colors Of Soul" title track...

"Nice clean sound; good crossover between jazz and adult contemporary." - Virgil Simons, English Radio Barcelona

“I have been using "Colors of Soul" on my program for two months, love it and will keep using it , send me more tunes Vel” - Bill Sharpe, Coast 101.1fm classic hits

“It's difficult to find quality music amongst so many offerings. But this stuff stands out as superior (along with other tracks 'All Wound Up', 'Song for My Love' and 'Maybe So').” - Larry Vidal, 91.8 Hayes FM.org.uk

“Houston Spotlight: Vel Lewis” - Monica Murphy Eaves, The Jazz In M.E.E. Magazine (Oct. 20, 2015)

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Primary Instrument

Organ, Hammond B3

Location

Houston

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

School District of Philadelphia (1973 - 1978): Teacher aide (Learning Disability), Title I Reading aide (2nd - 4th grades), Alternative school (7th - 9th grades) Professional musician since 1969