John Lewis (pianist)
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- For other persons named John Lewis, see John Lewis (disambiguation).
John Aaron Lewis (3 May 1920 – 29 March 2001) was an American jazz pianist and composer best known as the musical director of the Modern Jazz Quartet.
Born in LaGrange, Illinois and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he learned classical music and piano from his mother. He served in the Army in World War II, where he met Kenny Clarke. After the war, they moved to New York City and he joined Dizzy Gillespie's band. He also performed or recorded with Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Illinois Jacquet, Miles Davis, and Lester Young.
He participated in the "Birth of the Cool" sessions with Miles Davis in 1949-50 but was unable to attend the first session due to an engagement with Ella Fitzgerald for whom he was accompanist. For four out of the twelve tracks on that album he was replaced by Al Haig. Further to this, he participated in the "Re-birth of the Cool" sessions with Gerry Mulligan in 1992 (and was this time able to play on the entire album).
In 1951, Lewis, Milt Jackson, Clarke, and Ray Brown formed the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952 Percy Heath replaced Brown on bass and the Modern Jazz Quartet was born. In 1955 Connie Kay replaced Clarke on drums. Lewis was the MJQ's musical director and pianist until it disbanded in 1974 (owing to Jackson's departure) and again after it reorganized in 1981.
He was also an educator and composer of movie scores.
He died in New York City after a long battle with prostate cancer.
