Abstract

The main purpose of the conference held by Prof. Eric Ineke (Royal Conservatory at The Hague) at Escola Superior de Música de Lisboa in November 5th, 2019, was to discuss and share material on the impact of drummer Mel Lewis (1929-1990) in the context of the history of jazz.
According to Prof. Ineke: “his contribution to the music was the fact that he was able to create a small combo feel within the context of a big band. There was always interaction with the solists and the rhythm section, like a small combo, which was not common before in big bands like Count Basie, Woody Herman and Duke Ellington’’.

Keywords: Mel Lewis, drums, swing, big band, jazz