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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLEWIS, Meade Lux(b 4 Sep. '05, Chicago; d 7 June '64, Minneapolis MN) Pianist in boogie-woogie blues piano genre. Nickname from 'The Duke of Luxemburg' as a child. Infl. by Jimmy Yancey; recorded 'Honky Tonk Train Blues' for Paramount '29; wielded a shovel for Works Progress Administration, drove taxi, washed cars; rediscovered by John Hammond '35, played in his Spirituals to Swing concert with Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson, was key figure with them in boogie-woogie fad of '40s which resulted in over-exposure of it, touring with them in piano trio. Rerecorded 'Train' for EMI '35, Victor and Decca '36, Blue Note '40, Clef '44; died in car crash. Albums incl. 10]im[ LP Boogie Woogie Interpretations on Atlantic, Cat House Piano and Meade Lux on Verve, Out Of The Roaring Twenties on ABC-Paramount, Blues Boogie Woogie on Stinson; three-disc limited edition The Complete Blue Note Recordings Of Albert Ammons And Meade Lux Lewis on Mosaic '83 incl. two duets with Ammons, two versions of 'Honky Tonk Train Blues' and 21 other solos by Lewis '39--44, incl. four 'Variations On A Theme' played on the harpsichord. |