JAZZ @ THE SANDBAR: Roger Lewis

From the first time he picked up a saxophone, Roger Lewis began betting on a career as a musician. Reading his family’s encyclopedia, he was drawn to pictures of landmarks from around the world. Music, he decided, was going to take him places. The now 80 year old New Orleans native has been playing this kind of music since he was 7.  As a founding member of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, formed in 1977, Lewis has spent decades seeing the world while on tour. Contrary to what the name suggests, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has seven members, and Lewis is the only original member after many lineup changes through the years. “I’m the glue,” he says. And he’s stuck around because of his love for music. The Dozen have recorded songs with stars such as Elvis Costello, DJ Logic and Norah Jones, and have toured with The Black Crowes and opened up for Miles Davis. When the band played an NPR Tiny Desk Concert, the series founder, Bob Boilen, described them as “an abundance of euphoria.” Almost unbelievably, Lewis released his first solo album just this summer, at the age of 80.  2022's "Alright!" is the debut album for Roger Lewis, a musician who has had a long history in New Orleans as well as an indelible effect on the jazz scene in the city. In addition to co-founding the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, he also became a member of the Tremé Brass Band, Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, and many other groups.

Sets at 7:00pm and 8:30pm.

Admission is $10 at the door  |  All Ages

FREE for students & staff.  Admission proceeds benefit the students of the Jazz Studies program at UNO. 

THE SANDBAR is LOCATED at 100 Founders Rd. inside "The Cove" on the campus of the University of New Orleans. (Enter from 2000 Lakeshore Drive)