Henry Lewis

Henry Jay Lewis (October 16, 1932 – January 26, 1996) was an African-American double-bassist and orchestral conductor.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Lewis attended The University of Southern California and at age sixteen, joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic, becoming the first black instrumentalist in a major symphony orchestra. After six years as a double-bassist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, he played (double-bass) with and conducted (in Germany and the Netherlands) the Seventh Army Symphony while serving in the United States Armed Forces (1955-1956). After returning to the USA, he founded the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In 1963 he travelled with it in Europe under the auspices of the State Department. He gained national recognition in 1961 when he was appointed assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra under Zubin Mehta, a post he held from 1961-1965. In 1968 he became the conductor and musical director of the New Jersey Symphony, transforming the group from a small community ensemble into a nationally recognized orchestra. He was the first African-American to lead a major symphony orchestra. From 1960-1979 Lewis was married to famed opera singer Marilyn Horne who often credits him with her early development as a singer. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1972 and after retiring from the New Jersey Symphony in 1976, he toured as a guest conductor in all of the major opera houses. Lewis died from a heart attack in 1996 at the age of 63. He is survived by his only daughter, Angela.