Derek Lewis is a Pianist, Composer, and Educator based in New York City. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Lewis grew up immersed in the sounds of improvised music, whether it was at live shows featuring local legends such as Dr. Lonnie Smith and Bobby Militello, or at home with a family of musicians, including his older brother, Wesley Lewis, who would be a prime inspiration on Lewis’ development, and later a bandmate as well. Despite this deep love for music, Lewis would not begin to seriously study the piano until the age of 15, from which point he would then decide to dedicate himself fully to music, playing his first gigs the following year, and discovering musicians who would greatly influence his sound and approach to the piano, such as McCoy Tyner, Ahmad Jamal, Thelonious Monk, and Mulgrew Miller.

After High School, Lewis would first attend SUNY Fredonia, before transferring to The New School on a scholarship to complete his undergraduate degree in music. At The New School, Lewis received the opportunity to work closely with legendary figures such as Reggie Workman, Buster Williams, and Joanne Brackeen. Outside of school, Lewis also found mentorship from great local pianists such as Miki Yamanaka and David Kikoski, who would each become important influences on his playing in their own right.

Derek has performed at established venues and festivals including The 2022 Bern International Jazz Festival in Switzerland, The 2023 Yale Jazz Collective Jazz Festival, the 2024 NorthWest Jazz Festival, Smalls Jazz Club, Zinc Bar, The Historic Buffalo Colored Musicians Club, The National Jazz Museum in Harlem, Wally’s Jazz Cafe, The Side Door, Pausa Art House, and with Harlem Jazz Boxx for their Jazz Harlem series. He also teaches music at various schools in the greater NYC area, where he helps students of all ages and abilities to improve their music, and gain a greater appreciation for improvisation and musical literacy.

Currently, Derek can be found performing regularly in New York City and the greater NYC area, both as a sideman and with his own bands.