George Lewis—”Burgundy Street Blues”

Between 1957 and 1967 clarinetist/composer George Lewis made three trips to Japan and a dozen tours to Europe.

Lewis’s signature tune was his own composition “Burgundy Street Blues,” performed here by clarinetist George Lewis, pianist Joe Robichaux, bass player Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavageau, and drummer Joe Watkins.

George Lewis (1900-1968) was born in the French Quarter of New Orleans as George Louis Francis Zenon, a descendent from a Senegalese slave girl who was abducted to Louisiana in 1803. By the time George was seven years old, he was playing a 25-cent tin flute for all would listen. At age 10, George bought his first clarinet, a $5 special from Dave’s Pawn Shop, on then notorious Rampart street. He had no formal music training and without ever learning to read notes, he taught himself to play his instrument.

George Lewis played his first professional engagement at age 14 in a dance hall in Mandeville. Following some measure of success, he and his small band soon appeared in many other places in Louisiana. During the late 1920s and 30s, he played with such musicians as Buddy Petit, Chris Kelly, Kid Howard and Billie De-De Pierce.

During these years and up until 1944 George supported himself partially by his music and partially through manual labor as a stevedore. But in 1944 the five-foot, five-inch musician suffered a crushed chest when a large cargo hook smashed against him. Lying in bed after he returned from the hospital, George was wondering if he would ever play again.

George summoned two fellow jazzmen, banjo player Lawrence Marrero and bass player Alcide “Slow Drag” Pavageau. Despite heavy tape on his chest, George Lewis could play and what he played came to be known as “Burgundy Street Blues.”

The “Burgundy Street Blues” caught national attention, and in 1945, George Lewis and jazz trumpeter Bunk Johnson took their band to New York and began a revival of New Orleans jazz interest which had spread throughout the world, influencing the styles of such clarinet players as the British Monty Sunshine and Acker Bilk.

In 1950 George Lewis was the subject of a Look magazine article which singled out his group as the most authentic New Orleans group playing at that time.