Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

September 4, 1905 in Chicago, IL

Death

:

June 7, 1964 in Minneapolis, MN

 

Meade Lux Lewis was an American pianist and composer who was born on September 4, 1905, in Chicago, Illinois. He was the youngest of eight children and grew up in a musical family. His father was a violinist, and his mother played the piano. Lewis began playing the piano at a young age and showed a natural talent for the instrument. Lewis's family moved to Chicago's South Side when he was a child, and he was exposed to the city's vibrant music scene. He was particularly drawn to the blues and jazz music that he heard in the local clubs and bars. He began playing in these venues as a teenager and quickly gained a reputation as a talented pianist. In the 1920s, Lewis moved to New York City to pursue his music career. He played in various clubs and theaters and became a regular performer at the famous Cotton Club. It was during this time that he began composing his own music. His style was heavily influenced by the blues and jazz music that he had grown up with, and he became known for his energetic and lively performances. One of Lewis's most famous compositions is "Honky Tonk Train Blues," which he wrote in 1927. The song is a fast-paced boogie-woogie piece that features Lewis's signature piano style. It became a hit and was covered by many other musicians over the years. Lewis continued to perform and compose music throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. He also recorded several albums, including "Barrel House Piano" and "Boogie Woogie at the Philharmonic." In the 1950s, Lewis's music began to fall out of favor as rock and roll became more popular. He continued to perform, but his audiences were smaller, and he struggled to make a living. In the 1960s, however, there was a renewed interest in his music, and he began to perform at jazz festivals and other events. Lewis continued to perform and record music until his death on June 7, 1964. He was 58 years old. Despite the ups and downs of his career, he is remembered as one of the pioneers of boogie-woogie piano and a key figure in the development of jazz music. His music continues to be celebrated and performed by musicians around the world.

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