Eric Lewis

b. 1973, Camden, New Jersey, USA. Lewis studied piano at the Settlement Music School in Queen Village, near his home. In the mid- to late 90s he attracted some attention when he played with artists such as Betty Carter, Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry (appearing as one of the pianists on the trumpeter’s set of duos, One On One), and Cassandra Wilson (Traveling Miles), but it was his success in winning the 1999 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition that substantially raised his profile. Among other artists with whom Lewis has recorded are alto saxophonist Craig Bailey, Robin Eubanks, and Wynton Marsalis. Although Lewis has a virtuoso technique, he uses these skills with reflective care, blending delicate impressionism with an earthy swing. His debut as a leader came in 2005.