Born in New Orleans, Art Lewis began his career in San Francisco, where he studied under Philly Joe Jones. He played at many local clubs, including Jimbo’s Famous Bop City, which was the major club at the time. He moved to New York in 1968 and played with many of the more prominent modern jazz players at clubs like the Village Vanguard, Slug’s, Ali’s Alley, The Tin Palace, The Public Theater, Jazz Workshop, and more.

While Philly Joe counts as a major influence on Art’s style, Max Roach, Kenny Clarke, Tony Williams, and Jack De Johnette are drummers who he respects and is closest to in style and feeling. Additionally, extensive study of African sources has given him a sense of how melodic line can be created with drums, and his later style has developed with this as its goal.

Art has worked and recorded with many of the major players in the music world, including Dewey Redman, Dexter Gordon, Clifford Jordan, Jon Hendricks, Sam Rivers, Andrew Hill, Bobby Hutcherson, John Handy, and Joe Lee Wilson

Throughout his career his work has been reviewed in the New York Times, the Village Voice, Jazz Podium (West Germany), Washington Post, Melody Maker (London), and Down Beat.

He has toured extensively throughout Europe, the United States and the Mid-East. He is considered one of the premier drummers in the new music.

Recordings:
Marty Cook, Tu Tu Records, 1990
Andrew Hill, Steeplechase, 1980
Andrew Hill, Arista, 1978
Ronnie Boykins, ESP, 1978
Sam Rivers, Loft Jazz, 1976
Joe Lee Wilson, Inner City, 1975
Sonny Murray, Columbia, 1973
New York Composers Orchestra, Steeplechase, 1971

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