Our Stories: Charles Lewis and the Arizona Jazz Experience

Jazz pianist Charles Lewis has lived and performed in Arizona since the early 1950s. Born in Philadelphia in 1933, local jazz legend Lewis began playing piano at age seven, and was greatly influenced by musicians such as Oscar Peterson, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, and Nat King Cole. He started his Arizona career playing at the South 7th Avenue Elks Club in Phoenix, which is now a historic African American landmark. He eventually formed his own band, The Charles Lewis Quintet. Lewis will share his personal story, set in the context of the Arizona jazz scene, and his music during this program.

This is part of the Jazz on the Move series, in partnership with the Chandler Jazz Festival and Chandler Special Events.