Roger Lewis

Since joining Benny Jones, Gregory Davis, Kirk Joseph, Charles Joseph, Kevin Harris, and Efrem Towns to form the Dirty Dozen Brass Band in 1977, Grammy Award-winning Roger Lewis helped change the course of New Orleans music by leading brass bands from the streets into clubs and arenas, marrying contemporary music with traditional music while leaving the New Orleans imprint along the way…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.

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. Known as the most ‘out there’ member of the Dirty Dozen, Lewis shows his versatility knows no bounds by recording and performing with artists such as… Al Jackson, Al Johnson, Allen Toussaint, Aaron Neville, Barbara George, Barbara Lynne, Baritone Bliss, Beausoleil, Ben Jaffe, Betty Shirley, Big Joe Turner, The Black Crowes, Bobby Rush, Branford Marsalis, Bruce ‘Sunpie’ Barnes, Buckwheat Zydeco, Carl LeBlanc, Jr., Chuck Barry, Charlie Gabriel, Charmaine Neville, Chris Severin, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Cyril Neville, Dave Bartholomew, Dave Matthews, David Bowie, David Torkanowski, Deacon John & the Ivories, Delfeayo Marsalis, Dixie Cups, Dizzy Gillespie, Don Covey, Doobie Brothers, Dr. John, Dumpstaphunk, Earl Turbington, Eddie Bo, Elvis Costello, Ernie K-Doe, Fats Domino, Frankie Ford, Fred Kemp, George Porter, Gov’t. Mule, Galactic, Germaine Bazzle, Grateful Dead, Herbert Hardesty, Herman LeBeaux, Herlin Riley, Irma Thomas, Irvin Mayfield, Ivan Neville, James Andrews’ Crescent City All-Stars, Jason Marsalis, Jean Knight, Jesse Hill, Joe Simon, Johnny Vidacovich, Jon Batiste, Jon Cleary, Juanita Brooks, Lady BJ, Lee Allen, Leo Nocentelli, Lillian Boutte, Karen Haynes, Kari Allen, Martha Carter, Marva Short, Marva Wright, Marvin Gaye, Modest Mouse, Nathan & the Zydeco Cha-Cha’s, Neville Brothers, New Orleans Saxophone Quartet, Nick Daniels, Oliver Morgan, Olympia Brass Band, Patrick Smith, Percy Stovall, Porgy Jones, Reggie Oliver, Richard Knox, Sammy Ridgley, Sharon Martin, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Stackman, Terrance Simien, Theresa Andersson, Thomas Johnson, Tinariwen, Tommy Hunt, Tommy Ridgley, Tony Degradi, Treme Brass Band, Tricia Boutte, Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Vernon Severin, Walter ‘Wolfman’ Washington, Widespread Panic, William Bell, Willie Tee, Wynton Marsalis, Zigaboo Modileste.

Roger Lewis hit the ground running with his first professional gig at just 11-years-old and has not slowed down over 70 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 5 baritone horn players), James Andrews’ Crescent City All-Stars, Delfaeyo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, or any number of artists.

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, the Dozen has 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 Festival, 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 was hooked on saxophone after being gifted with his first by his cousin.

Already making a living playing music, Lewis spent his junior high years at Carter G. Woodson under the tutelage of Mercedes Stamps, Alvin Batiste, 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 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 of horns which is always a favorite among fans.

Lewis also works in the commercial modeling world, posing for print ads for everything from OPI fingernail polish to Uggs boots. Television commercial work includes NFL Super Bowl, Popeye’s Chicken, Cadillac, Southern Comfort, Folger’s, and T-Mobile. Roger has been part of several documentaries, highlighting his contribution to New Orleans music. 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 nite 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 Award (Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Aaron Neville for Stompin’ Ground, 2022), Grammy certificates (Bobby Rush, Jon Cleary, Tinariwen), Best of the Beat Lifetime Achievement Award, 2011 Asante Cultural Ambassador, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra 2013 Big Beat Gala Congo Square Award, 2013 New Orleans Musicians Celebrity Golf Classic Golden Honoree, 2016 Preservation Resource Center African American Heritage Preservation honors for outstanding musical contributions to the New Orleans Community and Jazz Heritage, and recognition from the City of New Orleans, various publications and organizations.