In 1977, Roger Hayward Lewis joined Benny Jones, Gregory Davis, Kirk Joseph, Charles Joseph, Kevin Harris, and Efrem Towns to form the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Known for playing everything from birthdays to funerals and everything in between, Lewis has traveled the world playing music with the Dirty Dozen as well as a host of notable artists. Lewis, known as the most 'out there' member of the Dirty Dozen, shows that his versatility knows no bounds by recording and performing with artists such as Allen Toussaint, Beausoleil, Branford Marsalis, Dave Mathews, David Bowie, Dizzy Gillespie, James Andrews' Crescent City All-Stars, Elvis Costello, Joe Simon, Marvin Gaye, Modest Mouse, The Neville Brothers, the Treme Brass Band, and the Uptown Jazz Orchestra to name just a few from a list of musical co-luminaries that seems to know no bounds.
Roger Lewis hit the ground running with his first professional gig at just 11-years-old and has not slowed down over the past 60+ years. When not performing with the Dozen (up to 300 gigs per year), you might find Lewis performing with Treme Brass Band, Baritone Bliss (Roger's side project with multiple baritone horn players), James Andrews' Crescent City All-Stars, Delfaeyo Marsalis' Uptown Jazz Orchestra, or any number of artists.
Along with the other members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Lewis changed the course of New Orleans brass bands... leading them from the streets to the clubs and arenas, as well as, marrying contemporary music with traditional music while leaving the New Orleans imprint along the way. Both of these bold elements proved to be crucial to New Orleans music, especially the brass band sound and how the world receives the music and message, leading the way for such bands as Rebirth Brass Band, Soul Rebels Brass Band, Big Sam's Funky Nation, and others coming up behind them.
With the Dirty Dozen, Lewis has recorded for CBS Records, Columbia, Concord Jazz, Mammoth, Ropeadope Records, Rounder Records (Scott Billington), Savoy Jazz, and Shout! Factory. Together, they have played such venues as Antone's, Blue Note (Beijing, Hawaii, Milan, Napa, New York, Nagoya, Rio, São Paulo, Tokyo), The Hamilton, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Gardens, Ronnie Scott's, Royal Fest Hall, Spectrum, Sweet Basil's, Tipitina's, and Village Gate. Festival engagements include Montrose Jazz Fes val, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Newport Jazz Fest, Satchmo Fest, and Voodoo Fest. Gigs span the globe in such countries as Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Jakarta, Japan, New Guinea, Philippines, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Born and raised in New Orleans, Roger Lewis has absorbed and contributed to New Orleans music all of his life, playing music since he was 8 years old. Starting with the piano, he switched after a cousin gifted him with his first saxophone. He was hooked. Already making a living playing music, Lewis spent his junior high years at Carter G. Woodson under the tutelage of Mercedes Stamps, Alvin Battiste, and Harold Battiste. He was a member of George Washington Carver Senior High School's marching and concert bands under the guidance of Yvonne Bush. He continued his musical education at the Grunewald School of Music, the Houston School of Music, Southern University (studying under Kidd Jordan), as well as with private lessons. Lewis continues his education with practice and studying fellow musicians, always keeping his playing and music fresh. Roger started playing tenor saxophone with Deacon John & the Ivories, switching to baritone when he began his lengthy association with Fats Domino. He often changes up his performances with a variety horns which is always a favorite among fans.
Lewis also works in the modeling world, posing for print ads for everything from OPI fingernail polish to Uggs boots. Television commercial work includes NFL Superbowl and T-Mobile. He has appeared on TV in such productions as HBO's Treme and CBS' NCIS: New Orleans as well as the Miss USA Pageant and the Grammys. Late night television appearances include Late Night with David Letterman, The Tavis Smiley Show, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (with Bill Cosby, Jay Leno, and Johnny Carson).
Over the decades, Roger Lewis has received recognition and awards globally, including high rankings for his prowess on baritone saxophone, Grammy certificates (Bobby Rush, Jon Cleary, Tinariwen), and recognition from the City of New Orleans, various publications and organizations.
