Celebration of Art Lewis goes downtown!
Art Lewis Birthday Jam 2008
7 p.m.
Friday, May 23
Camino Real Hotel (in the Courtyard)
Admission: $10
Tickets at All That Music & Video
(Professional & advanced student musicians free)
Jazz and blues music legend Art Lewis was for many years one of El Paso's most frequent and best-known performers at downtown venues and special events.
Currently living in his hometown of Houston, Texas, Art Lewis will return to downtown El Paso for the annual jazz and blues jam session held in honor of his birthday.
The Art Lewis Birthday Jam 2008 will be at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23 outdoors in the beautiful courtyard of the Camino Real Hotel at 101 S. El Paso St.
Sponsors of this year's celebration include KHRO 1650 AM Radio Free El Paso, 92.3 FM The Fox, and Pan American Insurance.
The purpose of the annual jam session is to recognize the importance of Arthur "Art" Lewis, an El Paso music icon since 1962, to the local culture and live music scene.
For many years, Art was one of very few performers keeping jazz and blues playing in downtown El Paso and throughout the city.
However, to Art Lewis the birthday jam is more importantly an opportunity to reunite with many of his longtime musical collaborators and?play music with young aspiring musicians whom he may not have even met before!
Art invites all professional and advanced student musicians to bring their axes and jam with him.
This year's jam session will kickoff with Art Lewis backed by a quartet led by Fernando Lechuga, leader of Azucar and one of El Paso's most talented pianists.
They will perform jazz and blues standards, latin jazz and some beautiful jazz versions of songs such as "Sabor A Mi" originally made famous by Mexican guitar and vocal trios.
In the second half of the show, Art will be joined by former members of his bands The Earthmen and The Cincinnati Band to play electric blues, R & B, rock and of course more jazz!
Throughout the jam session, guest musicians will be invited to join Art Lewis on stage.
Tickets for the Art Lewis Birthday Jam 2008 are $10 at All That Music & Video located at 1506 Lee Trevino or at the door.
Seating will be limited. Professional and advanced student musicians admitted free.
For more information contact Hector Montes at (915) 637-0506.
