Recording Artist Brings Honesty, Beautiful Tone and Improvisation to the Bandstand

Leslie Lewis always embraced music as an integral part of her life. Starting in childhood, she watched her mother play piano, sing and design costumes for local theater groups. Her father was an accountant and a jazz aficionado. Her brother played classical trumpet, piano and organ. Not surprisingly, Leslie started singing at age 3 in her church choir, which her aunt directed. Leslie also plays piano.

Born and raised in East Orange, N.J., Lewis has been singing, performing and living in Orange County since the early 1990s. For a brief time, she lived in Cleveland, Ohio. Leslie recalls an exciting opportunity she experienced in the Midwest. 

Lewis: During the time I lived in Cleveland I was asked to sing with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. We toured around the area performing on several concert series. This led to my having the honor of working with the remaining members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra on a concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Patch: What a great opportunity! I read that you also recorded with Jack Sheldon. How did that come about?

Lewis: Tom Kubis, who leads his own big band, heard me sing at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach and asked me to join his group. Jack Sheldon was a frequent guest artist with the band. When Tom decided to record, we were both included on that date.

Patch: You have worked with some great musicians: Patrice Rushen, Tom Kubis, Jack Sheldon, Henry Franklin and many more. What do you bring to the stage when you’re the “front” singer with these groups?

Lewis: When I sing, it’s to tell a story with honesty, feeling, interesting rhythms and beautiful tone.

My mother introduced me to all kinds of music and art forms from day one. My high school music teacher worked with me in a number of school musical productions. Working nightly with [Orange County pianist] Ron Kobayashi challenged me immensely. Gerard Hagen completely changed the way I approached music with his talent, creativity and outlook on jazz. Some of my mentors have been Danilo Perez, Carmen McCrae, Ella [Fitzgerald], Aretha [Franklin], and I also listen to opera singers. Jessye Norman is a favorite.

Patch: I enjoy watching you perform as well as listening to your recordings. I’ve noticed your repertoire is diverse. You sing pop, R&B, jazz, a little of everything.  Do you think straight-ahead jazz is appealing to a youthful audience, and what do you think we can do to improve jazz interest in young people?

Lewis: I don’t believe it’s appealing to the youth here in California. But New York, Chicago, Europe, these places have a more sophisticated sensibility towards jazz in general. The way to improve it might be to introduce it earlier in the schools. More young, hip performers like Esperanza Spaulding playing this music might help.

Perhaps those of us who have been around for a while should be more open to reinventing “popular” music in the style of traditional jazz. People relate to what’s familiar. The average 18-year-old hasn’t got a clue about Duke Ellington’s popular composition, “Satin Doll.” Having said all that, I think it’s imperative never to abandon the roots of this incredible music that is ours.

Patch:  Yes. You’re right. Jazz is America’s indigenous musical art form and it’s loved and played all over the world. I’m looking forward to enjoying your performance with The Gerard Hagen jazz quartet at in Seal Beach Sunday, March 13 at 6 p.m.  See you there!

3001 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA 90740
Tel: 562-596-9969 Fax: 562-598-1626;  Reservations suggested.
Email: kobebistro@hotmail.com