Lou Levy

Lou Levy began studying piano at age twelve and matured into an accomplished bop-based pianist who collaborated with countless leading jazz musicians. His early work included stints with Georgie Auld in 1947, Sarah Vaughan, Chubby Jackson from 1947 to 1948, Boyd Raeburn, Woody Herman’s Second Herd from 1949 to 1950, Tommy Dorsey in 1950, a return engagement with Auld, and Flip Phillips. After stepping away from music between 1952 and 1954, he earned acclaim as a sensitive accompanist to singers, supporting Peggy Lee on and off from 1955 to 1973, Ella Fitzgerald from 1957 to 1962, June Christy, Anita O’Day, and Pinky Winters. He also performed with Shorty Rogers, Stan Getz, Terry Gibbs, Benny Goodman, Supersax, and most of the principal West Coast players. Levy led recording sessions for Nocturne in 1954, RCA, Jubilee, Philips, Interplay in 1977, and Verve. He died in late January 2001.