During my time as student of jazz performance at Manhattan School of Music Conservatory,it was my good fortune to have met and been coached by a number of brilliant teachers and perform with many great serious students of music. As an older student, in 1992, I realized I might encounter a steeper learning curve than my younger full-time student counterparts, as I continued to work full time. MSM conservatory produces musicians who become renowned leaders and top performers, in the arts related to music as composers, teachers, orchestral directors, score writers and a vast array of related artistic fields in the art and business of producing music.
Eric Lewis was among my gifted fellow students at MSM along with vibist, Marimba virtuoso Stefon Harris. The informal jam sessions that took place among students between classes in a variety of settings were unbelievable. I managed to grab my chances to sit in occasionally, as is the custom in conservatory, encouraging students to experience as many performance opportunities as possible. What I distinctly cherish from that hallowed time is how rigorous the commitment for those seeking to make a life’s career in music as either composer, performer, musician teacher or singer. Make no mistake a life and career in music requires serious rigorous discipline and commitment.
Eric Lewis AKA by his adopted moniker in recent years, as ELEW is exemplary as one such totally committed individual. I came to know and rely on Eric’s acumen and judgement as one of the top tier students among a highly esteemed teaching staff of professional jazz musicians for their expertise and coaching. Most memorable for me was the African American History Month Student recital held in February in which both Eric Lewis and Stefon Harris accompanied me on a transcription of Ella Fitzgerald’s memorable performance in Berlin singing “How High the Moon”. I was in my prime and accepted the challenge joined by two phenomenally gifted young “lions” and a stellar student ensemble. We took an appreciative audience by surprise figuratively on a musical trip to the moon with a riveting vocal, instrumental rendition of inimitable “Ella in Berlin Concert 1968” backed by a group of soon to become internationally renowned musicians. Eric and I had occasion recently to reminisce and joke about the experience, oddly we both are able to recall fondly after thousands of performances. It was a moon voyage from which I have yet to return after realizing the power and joy of truly great music. And from the looks of ELEW’S stellar career neither has he.
Years later,in 2008 Stefan Harris appeared on my successful debut jazz CD Dennis Day “All Things in Time”. ELEW has been called by Rolling Stone Magazine an International Rock Jazz star a genre ELEW has virtually helped define.
Eric’s distinctive style has helped him to amass a large following of celebrity fans, including Barack and Michelle Obama (for whom he has played at the White House), Leonardo DiCaprio,Donna Karan, Téa Leoni, David Duchovny, Hugh Jackman,Forest Whitaker, and Gerard Butler.[2] Throughout his career, he has performed with musicians such as Sting, The Roots,Natalie Cole, and Esperanza Spalding. In the spring of 2011, he joined singer-songwriter Josh Groban as the opening act on the American leg of the singer’s Straight to You Tour. Around the same time, he appeared as a contestant in an audition on the NBC reality seriesAmerica’s Got Talent, where he received a standing ovation from the crowd and positive scores from all three judges. Despite his positive reception, he ultimately dropped out of the competition in order to tour with Groban.[3]Wikepedia
As classmates at Manhattan School of Music, Eric Lewis aka ELEW and singer Dennis Day often performed with students within their performance classes as accompaniment and during student recitals.
The City of philadelphia continues to produce jazz artists as part of a hallowed tradition. Here, pictured left,on piano, ELEW at center, singer, TC Carney III both natives of Philadelphia appear at a Benefit for the Banana Pudding Jazz series in NYC.
Pianist, ELEW displays the physical energetic style and virtuosity that has won fans among celebrities and music lovers worldwide.
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