JOE LEWIS

 

Joe Lewis is well known to the people of the Mobile, Alabama area. Music has been a driving force in Joe since early childhood. "There's always been a piano in our house.", says Joe. "Our father played and naturally the influence continued." His natural gift for music developed into an intense love for jazz. He performs on the Baritone, Tenor, Alto, and Soprano Saxophones, as well as Piano and Flute.

Joe has a long and varied career as a Music Instructor and Choir Director at the St. James Major Catholic Church. He is the creator of the "Music & Me" Summer Program, where he has lectured on the art of jazz, jazz history, arranging, composition, and the art of improvising. He was also the founder and the driving force behind the Akoluthia Institute of Music in Mobile, Alabama.


Joe played with the U.S. Air Force Band in tours throughout the United States and abroad. He has backed up such performers as Arthur Prysock, Millie Jackson, Redd Foxx, the Manhattans, and The Dramatics. A regular at jazz festivals in Pensacola and Mobile, Joe has performed with jazz and blues greats like Ray Charles and Ramsey Lewis.

Joe has produced four CDs with Jazzical Music:

• A Blossom Fell
• Some Serious Groovin'
• Christmas... You and Me
• Gettin' Together