Bio
Chris Lewis is a multi-award-winning saxophonist, composer, educator, and bandleader. Known for his bold artistic voice and dynamic leadership, Lewis simultaneously leads his own quartet while maintaining an active schedule as a sideman. He is highly sought after by masters of the music, as well as his contemporaries.
Lewis is a member of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and has performed with artists including Herbie Hancock, Michael Bublé, Eric Reed, Terell Stafford, and Jeff “Tain” Watts, contemporaries Julius Rodriguez and Sean Mason, and premier ensembles such as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, John Beasley’s MONK’estra, the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, the Count Basie Orchestra, and The Gil Evans Project. At the age of 28, Lewis can be heard on over 30 recordings. He can be seen in television series like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Godfather of Harlem, and The Gilded Age, as well as a prominent feature in Levi’s Vintage Fall campaign.
A dedicated educator, Lewis teaches students of all ages. Offering his expertise in saxophone, improvisation, and ensemble performance, he continues to help shape the future of jazz both on and off the bandstand. He’s served as a guest artist, clinician, and adjudicator for a host of jazz festivals and competitions, and maintains a private studio of students worldwide.
Public EVENTs
January 11, 2025: Helen Sung Big Band
Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Unity Jazz Festival - New York, NY
January 16-18, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
Frederick P.Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
January 19, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
Mayo Performing Arts Center - Morristown, NJ
January 22 - February 1, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis Midwest Tour
February 3, 2025: Ted Nash Big Band
Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
February 7 & 8, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
Frederick P.Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
February 24, 2024: Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village Vanguard - New York, NY
February 28 & March 1, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
The Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
March 11 - April 5, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis European Tour
April 11, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
Virginia Arts Festival - Norfolk, VA
April 12, 2025: Ben Wolfe Quartet
Smalls Jazz Club - New York, NY
April 20, 2025: Dandy Wellington & His Band
Paradise Club - New York, NY
April 24, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
The Tilles Center - Brookville, NY
April 25 & 26, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
May 16, 2025: Chris Lewis Quartet
Not So Latin - Philadelphia, PA
May 22, 2025: Special Guest w. Caelan Cardello Trio
Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
May 26, 2025: Vanguard Jazz Orchestra
Village Vanguard - New York, NY
May 29-31, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Frederick P.Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
June 2, 2025: Ted Nash Big Band
Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
June 13 & 14, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w. Wynton Marsalis
Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center - New York, NY
June 16-29, 2025: Jazz at Lincoln Center w. Wynton Marsalis Northeast & Canada Tour
July 19, 2025: 92Y Jazz in July Presents “Tenors Of Our Time” ft. Melissa Aldana, Lew Tabackin, Walter Smith III and Chris Lewis
92nd St Y - New York, NY
July 28, 2025: Wynton Marsalis Sextet
Jazz in Marciac - Marciac, France
August 2, 2025: Ben Wolfe Quartet
The Side Door - Old Lyme, CT
August 30, 2025: Maria Schneider Orchestra
Detroit Jazz Festival - Detroit, MI
September 5, 2024: Chelsea Reed Quintet
Deer Head Inn - Delaware Water Gap, PA