Willie Lewis

Willie Lewis ( born June 10, 1905 in Cleburne, Texas as William T. Lewis, † January 13, 1971 in New York City ) was an American jazz clarinetist, alto saxophonist, arranger and bandleader.

Willie Lewis grew up in Dallas and played as a youngster in various variety shows. After his studies at the New England Conservatory of Music, he worked in Will Marion Cook's orchestra. After the band was taken over by Sam Wooding, Lewis went with him on tour to Europe, South America and North Africa. He remained until they disbanded in 1931 Wooding, Lewis then founded his own formation, Willie Lewis and His Entertainers in which even former colleagues from Woodings played orchestra. His entertainer had great success in Europe, his musicians were among others Jerry Blake, Arthur Briggs, Herman Chittison, Benny Carter, Bill Coleman, Garnet Clark, Bobby Martin, Ernst Höllerhagen, Louis Vola, Frank " Big Boy" Goudie, Jack Butler and June Cole. Lewis' entertainer also took up for the French label Swing.

In 1941, Lewis disbanded his orchestra Entertainers and returned to New York City. In the next few years he was barely active as a musician, he eventually found work as an actor, but this was unsuccessful and he then worked as a waiter.