Saxophonist taught by Miles Davis’ mentor now leads his own jazz band

Some men turn their basements into a man cave. Saxophonist Greg Lewis Jr. turned his into a rehearsal space and recording studio.

The 41-year-old East St. Louis native has been playing jazz music since he was a child. Now. he performs at some of the biggest venues in the country.

Like many successful musicians, Greg began his training by learning to play the piano. After seeing a man on television play the trumpet, Greg decided to stray from his piano lessons. Unfortunately, he wasn’t that knowledgeable on the different types of instruments and wasn’t sure what they were called. When he watched a video of a man playing trumpet, he decided he wanted to play trumpet, too. But he mistakenly called it a saxophone and that’s what his parents rented for him.

“It wasn’t what I envisioned, but I said I’d give it a try,” said Greg, a 1993 graduate of East St. Louis Lincoln High School.

“(Lincoln) had a pretty good jazz program directed by the great Ron Carter. They were some of the best years of my life, being in band, learning about music and family. At age 41, those lessons I learned still carry today.”

Besides high school music classes, Greg’s parents, Greg Sr. and Bessie Lewis, hired a private tutor (Dr. Hawkins) to help him learn the basics of playing the sax. Greg quickly improved. His family figured in at every step. He spent time listening to his father’s jazz albums and his family encouraged him to play at church.

“My parents are my role models and No. 1 influences in my life,” he said. “Also, can’t forget my grandma, Marcella Lewis, who has been a tremendous influence. She was a French horn player when she was in school.”

Accomplished musicians noted Greg’s talent. He found himself playing with local and international jazz legends, including Miles Davis’ mentor Clark Terry. Clark played with legendary musicians such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Miles Davis. He even played with “The Tonight Show Band” for 10 years. Greg was grateful to be mentored by a famous jazz musician.

Greg has performed all across the area for the past few years and was recently asked to play for the local chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s fundraising events. He performs at private events, but you can also see him and his band, Press Play, at jazz clubs around the St. Louis area.

Greg and his wife Lynnette live in East St. Louis. They have a son Gerrell, 19, who attends Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

For more information on Greg Lewis Jr. and the Press Play Band, go to The Press Play Band.

This story was originally published July 22, 2016 at 8:11 AM with the headline "Saxophonist taught by Miles Davis’ mentor now leads his own jazz band."