Andre Chez Lewis, is an award winning pianist, music director, arranger, orchestrator and music instructor from Detroit, MI, now residing in Brooklyn, NY. Chez’s career has bridged multiple genres of music including jazz, gospel, classical, blues, rock, pop, and r&b. Chez is a protege of the late great pianist, Dr. Barry Harris.

 

To date, Chez is currently the pianist and music director for Dionne Warwick.

He is also keyboardist / organist for the Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

Chez has worked with several Broadway productions, off-Broadway productions, and has been cast as a pianist in major films and television shows.​

​

Early Life

Chez was born in Detroit, Michigan to Andre Kent Lewis and Eureka Lewis. Andre Kent Lewis played trumpet, and flugelhorn and Eureka Lewis is an actress, playwright, and director. At the age of 9, Chez began playing on an old upright piano from his grandfather and learned piano by ear as a hobby. One day, Chez’s mother heard him practicing and she knew immediately that he had a gift. With her encouragement, he decided to further develop his gift. He began expanding his knowledge by purchasing music books at the local Barnes And Noble bookstore. Chez was raised in church and was initially heavily influenced by gospel, neo soul, and blues. His earliest influence was his father Andre Kent Lewis. Andre Kent would play trumpet as Chez accompanied him on piano in their living room as they listened to smooth jazz artists such as George Benson, Chuck Mangione, and Grover Washington.

 

In 2000, Chez moved to Hampton, VA. He began playing jazz, r&b, and gospel gigs around the city. In addition, he played and was the music director at several churches. In church, he learned to play the organ. In high school, he played tenor saxophone in concert and marching band where he learned to read music. Eventually, he taught himself to play guitar as well.

 

Career and Education

After graduating from high school in 2008, Chez was given a scholarship by renowned jazz saxophonist and composer Frank Foster to attend Berklee College of Music. In 2009, while still attending college, he opened for Randy Brecker, Jae Sinnett, and Spyro Gyra at the Sandler Center playing solo piano. After 2 semesters, he was hired as a broadway pianist and moved to NYC in 2009. Since then, Chez has worked with several notable Broadway productions including MJ the Musical, Memphis The Musical, Memphis The Musical On Tour, Holler If You Hear Me, Motown, Dreamgirls On Tour; and several off Broadway productions including Jelly’s Last Jam at the NYC City Center, Langston In Harlem, The Eve Of Jackie: A Tribute To Jackie Wilson, What They'll Remember, Sophisticated Lady: The Songs Of Natalie Cole, Pal Joey at the NYC City Center, and Ella: An American Miracle.

​​​​

Chez has taught private instruction for beginner through advanced students of all ages since 2010. He was also a music instructor for the Riverbank State Park Cultural Department in Harlem from 2016 - 2020. Since 2024, Chez has led workshops at The New School's College of Performing Arts for the Barry Harris Institute.

​

In 2013, he received the "Rising Star Award" at the 41st annual Audelco Awards for Excellence in Black Theater. In 2018, he received the "Leroy Applin's Young Lions Award" from the Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium. He has played internationally in Japan, Barbados, Ghana, Italy, Bermuda, Portugal, Canada, Brazil, Greece, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and St Maarten. Chez has worked with many notable stars including: Dionne Warwick, Vivian Green, Chantae Cann, Chester Gregory, Billy Porter, Dominique Fishback, Arly Lariviere, Queen Esther Marrow, Abiah, Raii and Whitney, Anita Whitaker, Kei Owada, Tony Goldwyn, Savion Glover, Loretta Devine, Anna Deavere Smith, Deedee Bridgewater, Bebe Winans, Timothée Chalamet, Forest Whitaker, Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Jessie Buckley.

​​

Chez has recorded on various albums and singles including "I Am Reminded", "A Night Of Worship" and "I Will Not Be Moved" for the Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, "Abiah Sings Nina", "Abiah Sings Madonna", and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" for Abiah, "All We Are" for Mattie Safer, "A Part Of Me EP" for Kei Owada, "Save You Save Me" for Phat Man Dee and "The Christmas Song" for Ronnie Lewis. Chez also produced and recorded on NaJah Lewis' debut album "Fly Away."

​

In 2014, Chez was introduced to and began to study with jazz pianist, Dr. Barry Harris. Barry Harris sparked his love of jazz and heavily influenced his playing. Harris was a father figure and mentor to Chez and they worked very closely until Harris’ death in 2021.

 

Chez graduated from The New School's College of Performing Arts with a BFA in Jazz and Contemporary Music in 2022.

​​

In 2024, Chez was cast as Bob Dylan’s pianist, Paul Griffin in the Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown", as the ballroom pianist in the 2025 film "The Bride", and as a jazz pianist in the television series "Godfather Of Harlem".

​

Musical Style

Chez has blended all of his greatest influences into his own unique sound. Chez says his greatest influences are Bud Powell, Barry Harris, Bill Evans, Robert Glasper, Ray Charles, D’Angelo and he's been influenced musically by growing up in church.

 

Currently

Chez is currently the pianist and music director for Dionne Warwick. He is also a keyboardist / organist for the Grammy Award winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. In addition, he is the leader of the "Andre Chez Lewis Jazz Trio", with a residency at Tsion Cafe in Harlem. Chez has also been the music director for "City Love" since 2016.

 

Personal Life

In 2018, Chez married Afiya Lewis. Afiya and Chez live in Brooklyn, NY with their sons, Angelo and Aero.