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Bassist Herbie Lewis Dies at 66 |
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Written by Don Berryman
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Monday, 21 May 2007 |
 Herbie Lewis and Frank Morgan © Andrea Canter  Herbie Lewis © Andrea Canter
Born on February 17th, 1941, Herbie Lewis grew up in Pasadena where as teenagers, he and Bobby Hutcherson practiced together in Hutcherson's garage. It was Herbie who convinced Hutcherson to play vibes. Herbie was a solid, swinging musician both as accompanist and soloist. He recorded with Lennie McBrowne, Harold Land, the Art Farmer/Benny Golson Jazztet and Les McCann in the late '50s and early '60s. Herbie moved between California and New York several times during the '60s. At that time Lewis also recorded with Dave Pike, Stanley Turrentine, Jackie McLean, Sam Rivers, Bobby Hutcherson, and Freddie Hubbard. He played in Cannonball Adderley's group in 1966, and played and recorded with McCoy Tyner from 1967 to 1970. During the '70s and '80s Herbie recorded with Tete Montoliu, Chico Freeman, Billy Higgins, Bobby Hutcherson, Woody Shaw, Gary Bartz and Archie Shepp among others.
Herbie Lewis was founder of the Jazz Studies Program at New College of California in San Francisco where he taught for 15 years, from 1977 until 2002. Herbie married in 2002 and moved to the Twin Cities in 2002, and was still an active musician. Twin Citians have had the privilege to hear him perform occasional gigs at Twin Cities jazz clubs and festivals.
Herbie Lewis is survived by his wife Ruth, Daughter Kendall and granddaughter Jha' nee. Here is a video clip of Herbie performing on 12/31/03 at the Artists' Quarter in St Paul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_l8DzZe7Jc
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Sunday, 20 July 2008
