DAVE LEWIS
Dave Lewis's talent and natural musicality belie his young age. He is recognized not only for his inherent understanding and proficiency as a drummer, but also for his extensive experience as a pianist and composer.
From a very early age, Dave studied classical and jazz piano, African drumming and drum set. By the time he was 14, Dave was featured on his first CD, Oaktown Jazz, and by the age of 16, he became the youngest member of the group, First Circle, a very popular band in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition, Dave was the drummer and co-writer for the jazz-fusion group, Clockwinder. However, both these engagements were cut short by his decision to attend the Berklee College of Music as a scholarship recipient.
In 2003, Dave participated in the Guitar Center National Drum-off competition making it to the semi-finals at the House of Blues in Orlando, Florida. He maintains a high profile integrating many genres including jazz, fusion, Latin, funk, pop, rock, R&B and world music.
Dave has performed with Joe Lovano, Sheila E., Jetro da Silva, Victor Mendoza, Bryan Baker, Jerome Kyles, Thaddeus Hogarth and Walfredo Reyes Sr., as well as his own quartet, and the Boston based alternative rock group, a'tris.
Dave's father, Michael Lewis, a member of Zakir Hussain's Rhythm Experience, greatly influenced his understanding and implementation of complex, polyrhythmic patterns having been brought up listening to Indian classical music from a very early age. His teachers include Walfredo Reyes Sr., Rod Morgenstein, Mike Mangini, Terri Lynn Carrington, John Ramsay, Kenwood Dennard, Dave DiCenso and Ralph Peterson. He sites his strongest influences as Carter Beauford, Dennis Chambers, Steve Gadd, Dave Weckl, Vinnie Colaiuta, Zakir Hussain, and Michael Lewis.
Dave has recently completed his studies at Berklee and continues to compose, produce and perform his original works as well as recording and performing with many others in Boston and in the San Francisco Bay Area.