DPRAM

Roger Lewis

Roger Lewis stands as a vital pillar of New Orleans’s musical heritage—a fiercely creative and enduring saxophonist who has reshaped the brass band canon and carried its sounds across continents. Grounded in tradition yet fearlessly innovative, he has inspired generations through his performances, collaborations, and unwavering belief in music’s power to bring people together. From handmade newspaper saxophones in his childhood backyard to the world’s most prestigious stages, his life in music is a testament to inventiveness, adaptability, and joyous expression.

As a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Lewis helped lead a revolution in New Orleans brass music—fusing street traditions with jazz, funk, and global sounds. That reinvention wasn’t just musical; it was cultural. It helped reframe how New Orleans music could be perceived and performed around the world. Roger didn’t just play the baritone saxophone—he turned it into a voice that could wail, whisper, preach, or party. His tone is unmistakable: rich, earthy, and deeply rooted in the soul of the city.

What sets Lewis apart is not only his musicianship but also his approach to collaboration. Over the years, he’s played with legends from Fats Domino and Dr. John to contemporary artists like Norah Jones and Dave Matthews. Yet his work has always returned to community—playing second lines, funerals, benefits, and celebrations. He brings the same passion to a club gig as to a global festival stage, reminding everyone that music is not only performance but communion.

Beyond the notes and rhythms, Roger Lewis embodies a philosophy: music should move people—not only to dance, but to feel, to reflect, and to connect. Whether through the fire of a solo, the weight of a funeral dirge, or the jubilance of a street parade, Lewis continues to bring out the living spirit of New Orleans in everything he plays. His legacy is not just in records or accolades, but in every crowd that dances, every young musician inspired to pick up a horn, and every listener who walks away with a little more joy and soul than they had before.