William T. Lewis (né Willie Meria Tawlton Lewis; 10 June 1905 – 13 January 1971)[1] was an American jazz clarinetist and bandleader.[2]
Career
editLewis was born Cleburne, Texas, United States.[1] He grew up in Dallas and played in variety shows as a teenager. He attended the New England Conservatory of Music and then played in Will Marion Cook's orchestra.[1] When Cook's band was taken over by Sam Wooding, Lewis traveled with him on tours of Europe, South America, and North Africa, remaining until Wooding disbanded the orchestra in 1931.[1]
Following this Lewis set up his own band, Willie Lewis and His Entertainers, which featured some of Wooding's former players and achieved great success in Europe.[1] Among those who played under Lewis were Herman Chittison, Benny Carter, Bill Coleman, Garnet Clark, Bobby Martin, and June Cole. Lewis's Entertainers recorded for French label Disques Swing.
In 1941, Lewis disbanded the Entertainers and returned to New York City.[1] He performed infrequently after this;[1] although he found some work as an actor, he took up bartending as his fortunes declined. He died in New York City at the age of 65.
References
editGeneral
Inline
- ^ a b c d e f g Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1478. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ "U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947" (online via Ancestry.com)
- Name: Willie Meria Tawlton Lewis
- DOB: June 10, 1905
- POB: Cleburne, Texas
- Residence: 401 Convent Avenue, New York
- Serial No: 1741
- Order No: 11024
Local [Draft] Board 60, RKO Hamilton Theatre Building, 559 West 146th Street, New York, February 15, 1942Source: Draft Registration Cards for New York City, 16 October 1940 to 31 March 1947. 1376 boxes. NAI: 7644743. Records of the Selective Service System, 1926–1975, Record Group 147. NARA, St Louis, Missouri