Today we’d like to introduce you to ELEW.
ELEW, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began my career as a jazz pianist known as Eric Lewis, performing alongside Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, Jon Hendricks, Roy Hargrove and Elvin Jones. A decade into my career, I controversially rebranded myself as ELEW, and began fusing my classical piano with modern pop and rock music, generating a new genre of piano styling I called, Rockjazz. Over the course of multiple albums, I’ve pianistically reimagined songs by Coldpay and Michael Jackson, The Killers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name a few. In the course of my career I’ve had the pleasure of performing for a very diverse cross-section of audiences. From arena shows opening for Josh Groban, rocking America’s Got Talent, private soirees for Hollywood actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Gerard Butler, Will Smith and Halle Berry, innovators in the fields of science, medicine and tech at the TED conference, and for multiple international dignitaries/heads of state including exclusive engagements at the White House during the administrations of Presidents Clinton and Obama. Conversely, I’ve also maintained a strong connection to charity organizations such as the Sascha Bruce Foundation, Musicians on Call serving Sloane Kettering Children’s Hospital, the Susan G Komen Foundation, and the Bowery Mission Homeless Shelter to name few.
Constant exploration, inexhaustible passion and PRACTICING relentlessly continues to propel me to new heights in my career which now includes composing for films, writing screenplays, directing, DJ-ing, as well as speaking engagements for Fortune 100 companies and luxury brands such as Google, Fendi, Disney, and Mercedes Benz. I’m also preparing to unveil a new piano technique to the field which I call, Counterbop, a blending together of baroque counterpoint of J.S. Bach with the bebop jazz approach of Charlie Parker.
I’m currently under stay at home orders in LA but very active, live-streaming piano and Dj performances for audiences online around the world. My newest album “ELEW Plays Rosenwinkel – CUBISM”, is a collaboration with modern jazz legend Kurt Rosenwinkel. “Cubism” is a compositional retrospective and daring leap into uncharted musical waters. “Wholly unexpected, deeply personal” said Nate Chinen, former critic for The NY- Times, director of editorial at WBGO, NPR Music contributor and author of “Cubism” liner notes.
Has it been a smooth road?
There have definitely been some psychological bumps that were crucial in overcoming. I suffered from intense panic attacks and depression which manifested themselves in dramatic fashion in 1998. It took years of work to master my energies and learn to Ride my Inner Dragon.
Please tell us about the company.
The name of my company is Ninjazz Entertainment and I’m known for Rocking the house as ELEW, concert pianist and DJ. I’m most proud of the uniqueness of my brand and the full satisfaction that I constantly and reliably deliver to all of my clients. The fact that I can deliver an unparalleled virtuostic piano performance of contemporary music ala Beethoven meets Jimi Hendrix all while standing and wearing beautiful armor, coupled with the ability to then DJ an afterparty experience full of the Hottest music, sets me apart from the competition.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the sharp professionalism that is surprisingly merged with the beautiful weather and great environments for self-improvement! I don’t like the traffic, lol.
Pricing:
- Livestream piano + DJ performance – $10k
- Private performance – $50k
Contact Info:
- Website: elewrockjazz.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @elewrockjazz
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elewrockjazz/
- Twitter: @elewrockjazz
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