Henry Lewis (musician)

Henry Lewis (October 16, 1932 – January 26, 1996) was an American double bassist and conductor. He was the first African-American to lead a major American orchestra.

Lewis was born in Los Angeles, California. He studied piano and clarinet early on, switching to double bass as a teenager. He joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1948, becoming the first African-American instrumentalist in a major American orchestra. During his time with the orchestra, he also formed the "Little Symphony," a chamber ensemble composed of Philharmonic musicians that performed in Los Angeles area schools and community centers.

In the 1960s, Lewis began to focus on conducting. He served as music director of the Compton (California) Symphony Orchestra from 1961 to 1963. In 1968, he was appointed music director of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO), a position he held until 1976. His tenure with the NJSO is credited with significantly raising the orchestra's profile and artistic quality. He brought the orchestra to Carnegie Hall for the first time and championed contemporary music, particularly works by American composers.

Lewis was married to opera singer Marilyn Horne from 1960 to 1979. They frequently collaborated on projects, and he often conducted orchestras accompanying her performances.

Following his time with the NJSO, Lewis guest conducted with major orchestras around the world, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He was also active in opera, conducting productions at the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and other leading opera houses.

Henry Lewis died of a heart attack in New York City in 1996. He is remembered as a pioneering figure in classical music, breaking down racial barriers and promoting musical excellence.