LOU LEVY

Louis A. Levy (March 5, 1928 – January 23, 2001), generally known as Lou Levy, was a bebop-based pianist who worked with many top jazz artists, later coming to embrace the cool jazz medium and playing in that style as well (though never quite losing his Bud Powell influence). Levy was born to Jewish parents in Chicago and started playing piano when he was 12. His chief influences were Art Tatum and Bud Powell. A professional at age 19, Levy played with Georgie Auld (1947 and later), Sarah Vaughan, Chubby Jackson (1947–1948), Boyd Raeburn, Woody Herman's Second Herd (1948–1950), Tommy Dorsey (1950) and Flip Phillips. Levy left music for a few years in the early fifties and then returned to gain a strong reputation as an accompanist to singers, working with Peggy Lee (1955–1973), Ella Fitzgerald (1957–1962), June Christy, Anita O'Day and Pinky Winters. Levy also played with Shorty Rogers, Stan Getz, read more...