Joseph "Joe" Lewis
Born in Mobile,AL on March 18th, 1936, he was raised in the Mobile community known as "The Bottom". He graduated from Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic High School where he began his musical journey playing baritone and later his beloved alto saxophone.
Biography
Joe Lewis served his country on the Air Force, playing in the U.S Military Band and performing in the States and in Europe from 1955-1959 before returning to Mobile and reemerging himself in the music scene he left, expanding his instrumentation to include piano, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone and flute as well as being integral in forming a music group with his brothers Marion, Johnny, and Eugene that would be know for the next two decades around the Gulf Coast as THE LEWIS BROTHERS.
JOE LEWIS has also served to enrich the Mobile
Mardi Gras experience as an integral member
of the EXCELSIOR BAND from junior year in
high school for about 35 years. He played
professionally and backed artists such as
Millie Jackson, Redd Foxx, Ray Charles,
recording with Mobile’s own renowned
trombonist Fred Westley, the accomplished pianist Roy Merriwether and opening for Lou Rawls, Chemistry and Arthur Prysock, local legendary musicians including E.B. Coleman, Joe Morris Sr., John ‘Jabo’ Starks, Marshall Ezell, Hubert Stanfield, Theodore Arthur, and James Seals to name a few. Joe Lewis mentored thousands of Mobile youth through various programs such as Bishop State’s Culture in Black and White, University of South Alabama Jazz Band, Akoluthia Music School, St. James Major Catholic School, Mobile’s Music and Me Program which he founded, designed, and piloted, and Joe Lewis’ Music Studio as well as visiting and performing at schools within the Mobile County and Baldwin County School System.
He has served as Music Minister and music teacher for 30 years, composing songs and arrangements for St. James Major Catholic Church and the Archdiocese of Mobile which are still in use today. His mentorship in the City of Mobile, service to his community, and notoriety as a local jazz saxophonist and band leader have been called a tremendous asset. That is why William S. Stimpson, 100th Mayor of the City of Mobile, Alabama and Mobile's County Commissioners proclaimed on March 18th, 2020 "Mr. Joe Lewis Day". Youth on The Winning Side and Nu-Image/Nu-Flame honored Joe as a Mobile Gospel Great on July 25, 2025 and on July 26, 2025 the Gulf Coast Ethnic and Heritage Festival inducted Joe into their Hall of Fame on July 26, 2025.
JOE LEWIS has performed for audiences worldwide outside of the military,
including Baden and Zurich, Switzerland and Yelapa, Mexico, and has also
proven himself as an accomplished producer, arranger, composer, and music
instructor well known locally and abroad as one of the premier jazz
saxophonist on the Gulf Coast.
JOE LEWIS is an integral part of the City of Mobile, Mobile County and the
State of Alabama as a Living Legend and is considered a State Jazz Treasure (photo from the book "Hit Me Fred" by Fred Wesley)
having been integral in the Jazz Scene in Mobile and along the Gulf Coast with
THE LEWIS BROTHERS LTD., THE JOE LEWIS TRIO and as a solo artist since the mid-50’s, collaborating with local, national and international musicians of all ages for over six decades;
JOE LEWIS, through his vision and ingenuity, has been a pillar in Mobile and small business owner in the City of Mobile and Mobile County for over 50 years, a Mentor of mentors and a Teacher of teachers, having served to teach thousands from ages 7 – 90 over six decades.
JOE LEWIS has a lifelong love of music that he has shared the majority of his life and at 89 years old, doesn't show signs of stopping any time soon!
