George Lewis

George Lewis (1900-1968) was a famous American jazz clarinetist that rocketed to success later in life. He influenced many young clarinetists around the world with his soulful, “fat-boned” sound.

Early Years
Joseph Louis Francois Zenon was born in the New Orleans French Quarter. His descendants were enslaved people from Senegal that arrived in Louisiana around 1803. They spoke the Senegalese language and practice their cultural customs in the Lewis household. It is in this household that Lewis learned patience and persistence.

Survival & Music
At the age of 17, Lewis played the clarinet with Buddy Petit, Chris Kelly, and Kid Ory in the New Orleans area; however, during the Great Depression, Lewis was forced to work as a stevedore and pick up gigs after work whenever he could find it. In 1942, jazz historian, Bill Russell, interviewed Bunk Johnson in New Orleans. Johnson picked Lewis as his clarinetist and this propelled his career and Lewis made the first recordings as a leader on American Music Records, a label created by Russell. Alan Lomax, renowned folklorist and musicologist, claimed that Lewis was a shining example of what jazz was before it became overly popular and commercialized by the swing bands of the late 1930s and early 1940s. In 1944, Lewis was seriously injured on the docks. It was feared that he may never be able to play again. With patience and persistence, Lewis practiced as he recuperated from his sick bed in his home on Burgundy Street. His friends, banjo player Lawrence Marrero and String bass player Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavegeaux brought their instruments by and Bill Russell recorded them. These sessions produced the improvised pieces that Lewis became famous for and the influential “Burgundy Street Blues”.

Success
Lewis stayed on with Bunk Johnson’s popular band throughout the mid-1940s, which included a trip to New York City, where they played at the Stuyvesant Casino. At this time, the band members included Johnson, Lewis, Marrero, Pavageau, trombonist Jim Robinson, pianist Alton Purnell and drummer Baby Dodds. They recorded for Decca and Victor music labels. After Bunk Johnson’s retirement, Lewis took over as bandleader at clubs throughout the French Quarter. They broadcast regularly over WDSU, a New Orleans radio station. Lewis’ band was featured on the international Look magazine cover of the June 5, 1950 and Stanley Kubrick’s photograph accompanied the article. This launched Lewis’ national tour as he and the band were a symbol of New Orleans jazz tradition. In 1952, Lewis took his band to San Francisco and took up residency at the Hangover Club. They toured the United States and in 1960, Lewis repeatedly took the band to Europe and Japan. When he was in New Orleans, Lewis played regularly at Preservation Hall from its opening in 1961 to just before his death.