Webster Lewis, 59; Composer, Arranger for Jazz, Pop Musicians
Webster Lewis, 59, a composer and arranger for several leading pop performers, including Michael Jackson, Tom Jones and Barry White, died Nov. 20 at his home in Barryville, N.Y. The cause of death was not given.
Lewis conducted and arranged for many musicians. He toured with White as conductor of the Love Unlimited Orchestra and with jazz pianist Herbie Hancock as musical director.
He recorded several solo albums -- including “Live at Club 7,” “On the Town,” “8 for the ‘80s” and “Let Me Be the One” -- and wrote music for TV commercials.
A native of Baltimore, Lewis graduated from Morgan State College and earned a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music, where he also was an associate dean from 1972 to 1978 and where his mentor was composer Gunther Schuller.
He lived and worked for a time in Los Angeles.
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