Draft:Andre Chez Lewis
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Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Owenskha (talk) 00:51, 10 July 2025 (UTC)
Andre “Chez” Lewis (born July 17, 1990) is an American pianist, music director, composer, arranger, orchestrator, and educator from Detroit, Michigan. Working across jazz, gospel, classical, blues, rock, pop, and R&B, he is the music director and pianist for Dionne Warwick[1][2][3] [4]and keyboardist/organist for the Grammy Award–winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir .
Early Life and Education
[edit]Lewis was born to trumpeter Andre Kent Lewis and actress-playwright Eureka Lewis. He began playing piano by ear at age nine on his grandfather’s upright piano. Chez was raised in the church and was initially heavily influenced by gospel, neo soul, and blues.
In 2000, Chez moved to Hampton, VA. He began playing jazz, r&b, and gospel gigs around the city and was the music director at several churches. In church, he learned to play the organ and in high school, he learned to play saxophone and guitar as well.
Awarded a scholarship by jazz saxophonist Frank Foster, he attended Berklee College of Music. After two semesters, he moved to New York City to work as a Broadway pianist . He earned a BFA in Jazz and Contemporary Music from The New School in 2022.
Career
[edit]Broadway, Touring, and Film/TV
[edit]- Served as pianist/musical director for several Broadway productions including Chez has worked with Broadway productions including MJ the Musical, Memphis The Musical, Memphis The Musical On Tour, Holler If You Hear Me, Motown, Dreamgirls On Tour; and several off Broadway productions including Jelly’s Last Jam at the NYC City Center[5], Langston In Harlem at 54 Below[6], The Eve Of Jackie: A Tribute To Jackie Wilson,[7] What They'll Remember[8], Sophisticated Lady: The Songs Of Natalie Cole[9], Pal Joey at the NYC City Center, and Ella: An American Miracle.
- Appeared on screen as Bob Dylan’s pianist Paul Griffin in the 2024 biopic A Complete Unknown[10], as the ballroom pianist in the upcoming 2026 film The Bride, and as a jazz pianist in Godfather of Harlem season 4 .
Collaborations and Recordings
[edit]His recorded work includes contributions to the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s I Am Reminded, A Night of Worship and I Will Not Be Moved; Abiah Sings Nina, Abiah Sings Madonna, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen for Abiah; All We Are for Mattie Safer from The Rapture; A Part of Me EP by Kei Owada; Save You Save Me by Phat Man Dee[11]; and The Christmas Song for Ronnie Lewis. Chez also produced and recorded on NaJah Lewis' debut album Fly Away.
Awards and Teaching
[edit]- Honored with the 2013 Audelco Rising Star Award and the 2018 Leroy Applin Young Lions Award[12][13] from the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium.
- A protégée of jazz legend Dr. Barry Harris, Lewis studied closely with him from 2014 until Harris’s passing in 2021.
- Active educator since 2010, he has offered private lessons, and began leading workshops at The New School's Barry Harris Institute in 2024.
Personal Life
[edit]In 2018, Lewis married Afiya Lewis. They live in Brooklyn, New York, with their sons, Angelo and Aero.
Musical Style and Influence
[edit]Blending jazz, gospel, and R&B, his style is heavily influenced by Bud Powell, Ray Charles, Robert Glasper and D’Angelo. Barry Harris was both mentor and personal inspiration .
References
[edit]- ^ Beck, Mike; Moreland, Photos by Leonie; Moreland, Mike Beck and Photos by Leonie (2025-01-22). "Dionne Warwick – Auckland, 21 January 2025: Review & Photos". redraven.news. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "Dionne Warwick LIVE! at BergenPAC". NewJerseyStage.com. 2024-11-17. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "Dionne Warwick: One Last Time, Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall, Melbourne, January 16th 2025 – Live Review". LILITHIA REVIEWS. 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Martin, Kaya (2025-01-20). "60 years of classics and a timeless talent: Dionne Warwick takes the stage". Beat Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-02-12. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Green, Jesse (2024-02-23). "'Jelly's Last Jam' Review: A Musical Paradise, Even in Purgatory". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Pope, Ricky. "Review: LANGSTON IN HARLEM Celebrates Langston Hughes With Style and Heart at 54 Below". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Felder, Lynn (2024-05-31). "New name, new excitement: International Black Theatre Festival debuts". Winston-Salem Journal. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Kamen, Marina. "BWW Interview: Playwright/Director Eureka Lewis and Musical Director Andre Chez Lewis - A Family of Talent Unity". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "NITA WHITAKER IN SOPHISTICATED LADY: THE SONGS OF NATALIE COLE in Off-Off-Broadway at 54 Below 2024". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ "Who Are The Other Musicians In The New Dylan Biopic And What Happened To Them?". Mojo. 2025-01-29. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Save You Save Me (feat. Geña, Mathew Tembo, Julie Slim, Sara Stock Mayo, Andre "Chez" Lewis, Tony Depaolis & Brian E. Edwards) by Phat Man Dee on Apple Music, 2020-12-11, retrieved 2025-07-10
- ^ "Tnycjr 201805 | PDF | Jazz | Bass Guitar". Scribd. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
- ^ Scott, Ronald E. (2018-05-03). "Jazz Notes: Unchartered, Hostos, St. Nick's, CBJC, Schomburg". New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved 2025-07-10.