Vince Lewis Biography

Artist Biography by: Vince Lewis

Vince Lewis is a veteran performer, composer and recording artist who has appeared with countless major entertainers and jazz musicians.  Some of these include Cab Calloway, Don Rickles, Don Goldie, Herb Ellis, Bob Hope, Les Elgart, Johnny Mince, Henry Cuesta and Bobbie Rosengarden.  Since actively pursuing a solo career he has achieved national acclaim and airplay, as well as outstanding critical reviews in major publications.  He has been a Heritage Guitar, Inc. Performing Artist since 1991, and is currently a featured artist on their website. He records for the Noteworthy Jazz label, and his latest release is a duo project with guitarist Steve Abshire titled “Live At The Mainstay.”  This follows the critically acclaimed release of their first collaboration “Two In The Pocket.” He also has a new trio CD for Jim Martin Productions titled “The Vince Lewis Trio..Better Than Ever.” This recording is currently receiving national airplay and excellent reviews.

Guitar Player magazine describes his playing as “silky-smooth hollow body jazz with fluid bebop lines, flawless technique, and a Wes approved tone that’s lively and bright.”  Jazz Improv magazine calls his Vince Lewis Trio CD “A great jazz guitar record,” and has included him in their 2002 selected list of “leading and emerging active Jazz artists.”  His style has been compared to Wes Montgomery and Tal Farlow. Jim Hilmar of Vintage Guitar magazine says, “Vince is an accomplished player with a fine improvisational style.”  Jim Fisch writes in 20th Century Guitar magazine that he is “a fine guitarist…offers a deft blend of chordal and linear ideas effortlessly executed…a hip approach to chord soloing.”  Ed Benson says in Just Jazz Guitar magazine that Vince has “lots of class and taste.” Charles Chapman, noted guitarist and Professor of Guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston says that he “has those great melodic lines I TRY to strive for.”  In May of 2002 he was the opening act in concert for blues legend B.B. King.  Since then he has been asked to headline jazz festivals with legendary musicians Mundell Lowe, Dave Brubeck, Ellis Marsalis, Ed Shaughnessy and John Pizzarelli.

Vince is a contributing writer and consultant to Just Jazz Guitar magazine and Modern Guitars magazine.  In addition to his performance schedule, he serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Guitar Instruction in the Center for Worship at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.  Further information may be obtained by visiting his website at www.vincelewis.com.

For more information: http://www.vincelewis.com

Photo by: © Michael Stewart

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