Luigi Waites facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luigi Waites
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lewis Waites |
| Born | July 10, 1927 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Died | April 6, 2010 (aged 82) Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Jazz percussionist, vibraphonist, music instructor |
| Years active | 1940–2010 |
Luigi Waites (born Lewis Waites; July 10, 1927 – April 6, 2010) was a talented jazz drummer and vibraphonist. He was from Omaha, Nebraska, in the U.S.. Luigi played music every week in Omaha, sometimes by himself and sometimes with his groups, like Luigi, Inc.
He was a big part of the Omaha music scene for over 60 years. Luigi toured Europe twice and performed with famous jazz musicians. These included Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Dinah Washington. His band, Luigi, Inc, also shared the stage with artists like Jean-Luc Ponty, James Brown, and Dizzy Gillespie.
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About Luigi Waites
Early Life and Music
Luigi Waites was born Lewis Waites on July 10, 1927. His parents were Ione Kelley and Sylvester Waites. He grew up in Omaha, Nebraska.
Luigi started playing the drums when he was just twelve years old. Soon after, he began performing in local nightclubs around Omaha. At that time, the two local musicians' groups were separated by race.
During his high school years, Luigi often played music late into the night. This sometimes made it hard for him to get enough sleep for school. He might finish a professional music show very late. Then, he would quickly take a taxi to get to Central High School the next morning. This sometimes annoyed his teachers. Most teachers could not afford a taxi to work every day.
While Luigi was serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he met another jazz drummer named Elvin Jones. Luigi married Eva Jean Little in 1950. They had six children together.
Forming Bands and Performing
In 1960, Luigi Waites started a group called The Contemporaries. This was a drum corps that included people from different backgrounds. They played jazz rhythms and used modern dance steps.
Later, in the 1970s, Luigi performed by himself in a program called The National School Tours. He played music in classrooms and school assemblies. When he led his own band, Luigi Inc, he played the vibraphone (also called a vibraharp) instead of drums.
Luigi Inc was a small jazz band with five members, based in Omaha, Nebraska. Luigi Waites started the group. Luigi Inc is famous for having one of the longest-running music shows in the country. He played with the group over 1,700 Sunday nights in a row. This was at a bar in Omaha called Mr. Toad, starting in 1978. In the 2000s, Luigi also worked with a pop band called Shelter Belt.
His Musical Style
As a drummer, Luigi Waites was inspired by many other great musicians. Some of his influences included Buddy Rich, Joe Jones, Louie Bellson, and Max Roach.
Luigi Waites passed away peacefully on April 6, 2010. He was 82 years old. He died at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska.
His Music Albums
- Fear Not (2001)
- Distant Relatives (2005)
- Live at Mr. Toad (2010)
Awards and Honors
- 1996: He was named Nebraska Artist of the Year by the Nebraska Arts Council.
- 2005: He was welcomed into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame.
- 2007: He received the Lifetime Achievement Award. This was at the first annual Omaha Entertainment Awards on January 4.
- He also received an award from the Omaha Press Club.
