Curtis Reginald Lewis facts for kids

Curtis Reginald Lewis (born August 29, 1918 – died May 23, 1969) was an American composer. He wrote many popular songs. A lot of his songs became famous "jazz standards." These are songs that many jazz musicians play.

Curtis was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He grew up in Chicago. In the 1940s, he moved to New York City. He made history by becoming one of the first Black composers. He was also one of the first Black lyricists to own a music publishing company on Broadway. This happened in the early 1950s.

He served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a Staff Sergeant. After the war, he was buried at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, New York.

Famous Songs by Curtis Lewis

Curtis Lewis wrote many songs. Here are some of his well-known compositions:

• "All Night Long"
  • Shirley Horn; Album: All Night Long (1981)
  • Billie Holiday
  • George Shearing Quintet with Nancy Wilson; Album: The Swingin's Mutual!
  • Freddie Roach; Album: Brown Sugar
  • Aretha Franklin; Album: Sweet Bitter Love
  • Sonny Criss; Album: Crisscraft (Muse, 1975)
  • Sandy Graham; Album: Sandy Graham
  • Elkie Brooks; Album: No More the Fool: The Collection
  • Rolf Delfos, Marijn Wijnands; Album: Complete Boulevard of Broken Dreams
  • Beverley Staunton, Album: Here's to You
  • Mary Stallings; Album: Live at the Village Vanguard
  • Mary Stallings; Album: San Francisco Jazz Festival
  • Dylan Cramer; Album: All Night Long (2001)
  • Nancy Wilson; Album: Lady Sings the Blues
  • Joe Sample, Randy Crawford; Album: Feeling Good
  • Diana Krall; Album: Only Trust Your Heart (1995)
• "All Soul"
• "Blue City"
  • Shirley Horn; Album: Embers And Ashes (1960)
• "Fortune Teller, Marion Keene" (1955)
• "Garden of the Blues Suite, The"
• "Great City, The"
• "He Never Mentioned Love"
  • Shirley Horn; Album: Embers And Ashes (1960)
  • Claire Martin; Album: He Never Mentioned Love (2007)
  • Sarah Vaughan; Album: The Complete Sarah Vaughan On Mercury Vol. 4 - 1963–1967
• "He’s Gone Again"
• "Now or Never" — Billie Holiday (music), Curtis R. Lewis (words)
• "Old Country"
• "Roaming Lover"
• "Today I Sing the Blues"
• "What Would a Woman Do?"
• "You Oughta Be Mine"

Albums Featuring His Work

One important album featuring Curtis Lewis's songs is:

• The Garden of the Blues by Shirley Horn. This album features Shirley Horn singing songs written by Curtis Lewis. It was released by Steeple Chase Records.

Film and TV Appearances

Some of Curtis Lewis's music has been used in movies:

• Blown Away (1994): The song All Night Long was featured in this film.