Larnell Lewis

Larnell Lewis (born March 22, 1984) is a Canadian drummer, composer, producer, and educator. He is most well known for playing drums with the Brooklyn-based jazz fusion band Snarky Puppy.

Larnell Lewis
Lewis at Port Hope Jazz Festival, 2008
Background information
BornMarch 22, 1984 (1984-03-22) (age 36)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, drummer, session musician and educator
InstrumentsDrums
Websitewww.larnelllewismusic.com

Biography

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Lewis started playing drums at age 2 and was first introduced to drums in church.[1] This is where he began to learn to play a variety of styles including gospel music, soca, calypso, reggae, zouk and funk.[2] He also studied electric bass and piano to further his knowledge of the melodic and harmonic aspects of music making.[3] Lewis’ parents were originally from St. Kitts and Nevis in the Caribbean.[2]

Lewis attended Humber College, where he was the 2004 recipient of the Oscar Peterson Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music, the highest award given by the institution.[3] Lewis was featured on the cover of the September 2016 issue of Modern Drummer magazine, alongside fellow Snarky Puppy drummers Robert “Sput” Searight and Jason “JT” Thomas.[4] In 2017 Lewis was named one of the Top 35 artists under 35 by CBC Music,[5] and also received the award for Emerging Jazz Artist from the Ontario Arts Foundation.[6] Lewis served as musical director for a performance during the Toronto International Film Festival's premiere of the critically acclaimed documentary Quincy, about famed producer Quincy Jones, where he led performances from the likes of Yebba Smith, Mark Ronson, and Chaka Khan.[7]

In 2018 Lewis released his first solo album In The Moment, on which he played bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, melodica, percussion, piano, synthesizer and vocals, in addition to writing and producing.[8][9]

Session work

Lewis currently plays and has recorded with musical artists Snarky Puppy and Laila Biali. He has also played with Fred Hammond, Michael Brecker, Matt Dusk, Robi Botos, Molly Johnson, Elizabeth Shepherd, Emilie-Claire Barlow, Barbra Lica and Tia Brazda.[9][10][11]

Lewis’ explosive performance on Snarky Puppy's 2014 album We Like It Here helped propel the band leading to their Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance.[2] He also played on the group's 2016 album Culcha Vulcha, which won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album.

Lewis has also played on the JUNO Award-winning albums Clear Day by jazz singer Emilie-Claire Barlow,[12] and Root Structure by jazz bassist Mike Downes.[13]

Equipment

Lewis endorses Yamaha Drums, Zildjian, Promark, Evans, D’Addario, and Latin Percussion.[14]

Discography

Solo
  • In the Moment (2018)[9]

With Snarky Puppy

Other artists

Awards and recognition

References
  1. Ritchie, Kevin (April 10, 2014). "Larnell Lewis: Larnell Lewis, professional drummer and drum and music teacher at Humber College". NOW Magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  2. Rose, Willie (September 2016). "Snarky Puppy's Holy Trinity". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  3. "Long & McQuade and Yamaha Canada Present: Larnell Lewis – Hybrid Drumming Workshop at NMC". National Music Centre. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  4. "Snarky Puppy's Holy Trinity". Modern Drummer Magazine. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  5. Morin, Scott. "Snarky Puppy's Holy Trinity". CBC Music. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  6. "Larnell Lewis is the 2017 Emerging Jazz Artist Award Recipient". Toronto Arts Foundation. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  7. "The Band". Snarky Puppy. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  8. "Larnell Lewis". drummerszone.com. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  9. "Larnell Lewis". allmusic.com. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  10. Andrews, Coral. "The Band". The Record. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  11. "This rising jazz-pop star has roots in New West". New West Record. September 5, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  12. "Vocal Jazz Album of the Year". JUNO Awards. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  13. "Jazz Album: Solo". JUNO Awards. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  14. "About". Snarky Puppy. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  15. "Discogs". discogs.com. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  16. "Jazz and Improvised". The Wholenote. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  17. Popovic, Ivana. "POT POURRI". The Wholenote. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  18. "Best Contemporary Instrumental Album". Grammy Awards. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
  19. "Jazz Album of the Year: Solo". JUNO Awards. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
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