Eric Lewis (pianist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Lewis
|
|
|---|---|
Lewis at the Moers Festival 2017
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Eric Robert Lewis |
| Also known as | ELEW |
| Born | May 13, 1973 Camden, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz, "Rockjazz" |
| Occupation(s) | Pianist |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1995–present |
| Labels | Ninjazz Entertainment |
| Associated acts | Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Josh Groban |
Eric Robert Lewis (born May 13, 1973) is a famous American jazz pianist. He is also known by his stage name, ELEW. He became well-known for mixing jazz music with rock and pop songs.
ELEW has a very unique way of playing the piano. He often doesn't use a piano bench. Instead, he stands up while playing. He even reaches inside the piano to pluck the strings directly! He created a new type of music called "Rockjazz." This style combines the free-flowing, creative parts of jazz with the energy of rock music.
At first, Eric Lewis played only jazz. He performed with famous jazz musicians like Wynton Marsalis and Cassandra Wilson. He was also part of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. But then, he became interested in rock music. He started his own solo career, playing rock and pop songs on the piano in his "Rockjazz" style.
He became famous for his instrumental covers of popular rock songs. These included "Paint It, Black" by The Rolling Stones and "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers. In 2010, he released his first album of these covers, called ELEW Rockjazz Vol. 1. He released it on his own music label, Ninjazz Entertainment.
Many famous people enjoy ELEW's unique style. He has played for Barack and Michelle Obama at the White House. Other fans include Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Jackman, and Forest Whitaker. He has also performed with musicians like Sting and The Roots.
In 2011, he toured with singer-songwriter Josh Groban. ELEW was the opening act for Groban's "Straight to You Tour" in America. Around the same time, he tried out for the TV show America's Got Talent. He got a standing ovation and good scores from the judges. However, he decided to leave the show to continue touring with Josh Groban.
In 2012, ELEW released his second solo album, ELEW Rockjazz Vol. 2. Later, in 2016, he released another album called And To The Republic. This album was praised by big jazz magazines like JazzTimes and Down Beat. In 2016, ELEW received The Novus Award at the Headquarters of the United Nations. This award recognized his contributions of music and art to the world.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Eric Lewis was born in Camden, New Jersey, in 1973. He started learning to play the piano when he was a child. He finished high school in 1991. Then, he received a special scholarship to attend the Manhattan School of Music. He graduated from there in 1995. After college, he began touring and playing with jazz stars like Wynton Marsalis.
Creating "Rockjazz"
After some time, Eric Lewis felt a bit disappointed with the jazz music world. A deal for his own jazz album didn't work out. So, he decided to try something new. Around this time, he heard his first rock album, Linkin Park's Meteora. This album greatly changed his ideas about music.
He then took the stage name "ELEW." He started to create a new music style. It mixed instrumental jazz with his new love for rock and pop music. He called this special new style "Rockjazz." He also changed his look on stage. He grew an afro hairstyle and wore cool, armored vambraces over his suits. He stopped using a piano bench and played standing up. He would even reach inside the piano to pluck the strings or hit the wooden case like a drum!
ELEW first gained wider attention in 2009. He played two songs at the TED Conference in Long Beach. One was a cover of "Going Under" by Evanescence. The videos of these performances became popular online. A fashion designer named Donna Karan saw him play. She asked him to create music for her fashion show in New York City.
At that fashion show, a White House official saw ELEW perform. She invited him to play at the White House for President and First Lady.
In March 2010, ELEW released his first solo album. It was called ELEW Rockjazz Vol. 1. He released it on his own label, Ninjazz Entertainment. The album had thirteen covers of rock and pop songs. These included songs by Coldplay and Radiohead. The music video for his cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was directed by a Japanese filmmaker, Ryuhei Kitamura.
In 2011, singer Josh Groban saw ELEW playing on YouTube. Groban then asked ELEW to open for his "Straight to You Tour" across the United States. ELEW played in many big arenas, like the STAPLES Center.
Also in 2011, ELEW tried out for America's Got Talent. He played Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama". The audience gave him a standing ovation. All three judges praised him, with one calling him "a bit of a genius." But he had to leave the show because it conflicted with his tour with Josh Groban.
In August 2012, ELEW released his next album, ELEW Rockjazz Vol. 2. This album had fourteen songs. Twelve were covers of popular artists like Michael Jackson and The Doors. It also included two original songs. One review said, "ELEW creates something staggering, something magical."
In 2013, ELEW produced and played piano on a song called "IANAHB." This song was on rapper Lil Wayne's album, I Am Not a Human Being II.
Images for kids
-
Eric Lewis performing at the Moers Festival in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Eric Lewis (pianista) para niños
