Home » Jazz Musicians » John R. Lewis

John R. Lewis

A native Californian, born in Palm Springs, this Los Angeles based musician has worked with and is one of the best.

John Lewis has recorded, toured and played with many great entertainers, composers and musicians. Artists like: Melissa Manchester, Natalie Cole, Paul Williams, Willie Nelson, Paula Abdul, The Judds, Michael McDonald, Sam Kinison, M.C. Ren, Charo, Gloria Trevi, Marvin Hamlisch, The Temptations, 5th Dimension, The Drifters, Debbie Boone, Bill Conti, David Benoit, Dave Koz, Ronnie Foster, Gregg Karukas, Shelby Flint, Rick Braun, Peter White, Jonathan Butler, Greg Walker, Chris Botti, Steve Cole, Euge Groove, Scott Wilkie, Mindi Abair, John Stowell, Chuck Marohnic, David Lanz, ALT, Candyman, Allegro, Eric Marienthal, Grant Geissman, Jamie Glaser, Michael O’Neill, BrainBox, J.C. Mark, Mike Pinera, Michael Winslow, Brothers Figaro, Keiko Saijo, Michelle Nicastro, Gary Puckett, Jaime Rogers, and Kids of the Century.

In the past years, recorded musical productions of Rocky Horror, Grease and The Video Zone have Lewis at the drums. He also has recorded jingles and industrials for various corporations such as Toyota, Nissan, Bugle Boy, Northrop, Pioneer Stereos, Jafra Cosmetics, Sea-Ray Boats, Sunrider, and Muzak. In the area of film and television he has completed the music for the following: "Academy Awards Show 1997", "Eli’s Coming", "Babyface Nelson", FOX Television shows "The Worlds Most Dangerous Stunts / Beverly Hills 90210 / Melrose Place”, HBO's "Real Sex", A&E's "Bill Curtis Investigative Reports", syndicated pilot "LAPD", and Disney’s TV/Film “The New Adventures of Spin & Marty”.

Lewis gigged all through his school years and also studied with some of L.A.'s finest drummers. His most influential teachers were Joel Leach (Professor of Percussion, Cal State University Northridge), Chuck Flores (Jazz Drummer) and Ralph Humphrey (Frank Zappa, Al Jarreau and Manhattan Transfer).

After Lewis finished school at Cal State University Northridge as a percussion major, he began to mature as a musician and to create a style of playing that is distinctive and all his own. He is a member of the A.F.M. Local 47, endorsed by DW Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Pro-Mark Sticks, Rhythm Tech, Aquarian Drumheads & Accessories and is currently based in Los Angeles working throughout the Southwest. He has also performed throughout Europe, Tahiti, Mexico, Caribbean, Philippines, Japan, Canada and the United States.

Aside from being a drummer, Lewis also owns a 24 track recording studio that he uses to produce projects as well as to write music. One of his projects is "GSQ", a jazz-fusion quartet with Big Dog Records which he not only played on their debut CD "Oasis of You" but he also engineered and co- produced the project.

Read more

Tags

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.