Meade Lux Lewis

Happy Birthday, Meade Lux Lewis...September 4, 1905-June 7, 1964...(birthdate is variously recorded).. Born in Chicago, Lewis was a popular performer there in the 20's but he wasn't well known outside of the area. He made his living running a taxi cab company with fellow Boogie-Woogie pianist Albert Ammons until a recording of his classic, "Honky Tonk Train Blues" made it into the hands of impresario John Hammond. The record had been made in 1927 but didn't come to Hammond's attention until 6 years later.

Under Hammond's guidance, the record was remade and released to great acclaim. Hammond next booked Lewis, Ammons and Pete Johnson into his legendary "From Spirituals to Swing" concert which boosted the popularity of all three players. The trio performed often together, rising to become the top Boogie-Woogie pianists of the day with Lewis leading the pack. They had an extended run at the Cafe' Society, toured as a trio and inspired the formation of Blue Note Records. Their popularity spurred on the Boogie-Woogie craze which lasted for nearly a decade.

As Boogie-Woogie popularity began to wane, Lewis experimented on the celeste and the harpsichord and explored playing old rags and pop songs. He also appeared in the movies "New Orleans" and "Nightmare" and had an uncredited part in "It's A Wonderful Life" playing piano in a scene where George Bailey gets thrown out of a bar. He continued playing in Chicago and California up until his death in a car accident at the age of 58.