Vel Lewis

Orbit | Updated: August 19, 2026

Born: November 30, 1954

Vel Lewis (Velbert Lewis, Jr.) is an award-winning American contemporary jazz recording artist, Hammond organist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist whose career spans more than six decades. Known for his distinctive Hammond organ sound, soulful melodies, and groove-driven approach to contemporary jazz, Lewis has built a career encompassing recording, international touring, television composition, production, and performance.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lewis began his musical journey in 1965 as a first soprano vocalist with the Philadelphia All-Boys Choir under the direction of Dr. Carlton J. Lake. As a featured soloist with the choir's Small Ensemble, he performed internationally, including an appearance at Expo '67 in Montreal, Canada. He studied voice and piano at Settlement Music School and later focused on organ, studying under Milton Myers and Dr. E. Woodley Kalehoff, who had served as a White House pianist under President Harry S. Truman.

While still a teenager, Lewis gained professional experience performing on television alongside drummer Gerry Brown and bassist John Lee and recording Hammond organ for gospel sessions produced by Ira Tucker, Sr. for ABC/Peacock Records. Those sessions included work with celebrated gospel groups such as The Sensational Nightingales, The Gospelaires, and The Dixie Hummingbirds.

In 1972, Lewis was signed to Philadelphia International Records as a member of The Futures. He later performed with The Delfonics during the period when Major Harris (known for his hit, "Love Won't Let Me Wait") was a member of the group. Lewis went on to co-write and perform lead vocals on "Tell Me Why," released by The Life Group in 1974, a recording that has since become recognized among the Top 100 Northern Soul classics.

During the 1990s, Lewis expanded his career into composition and production, collaborating with guitarist Tom Borton on the albums Dancing With Tigers and The Lost World. As a composer for Los Angeles Post Music, his work included music for a national Chrysler-Plymouth television advertising campaign featuring Tina Turner, as well as music appearing in television series including Sex and the City, Friends, Mad About You, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

From 2003 through 2005, Lewis toured internationally with legendary vocalist Dionne Warwick, performing before audiences around the world.

As a solo recording artist, Lewis has continued to develop his distinctive contemporary jazz sound centered around the Hammond organ. His releases include All Wound Up, the EP Colors of Soul, and singles including "Song For My Love," "Forever More" featuring Larry Braggs, "PlayTyme," and "Bossaflowz." His recordings have earned international radio airplay and chart recognition.

Vel Lewis’ 'Smoovee' Featuring Marion Meadows Celebrates Nine-Week Chart Run

Source: Vel Lewis
August 14, 2026

Award-winning Hammond organist and contemporary jazz artist continues to gain U.S. and international radio support with his latest single August 2026 — Award-winning contemporary jazz artist and Hammond organist Vel Lewis is celebrating continued chart success for his latest single, “Smoovee” featuring acclaimed saxophonist Marion Meadows, as the recording marks a nine-week chart run following its May 22 release. Since June 10, “Smoovee” has maintained a presence on Most Added, Top 20, Top 30, and Top 100 radio charts in ...
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Recording

Vel Lewis Ignites Memorial Day Weekend 2026 With New Smooth Jazz Single 'Smoovee'

Source: Vel Lewis
May 16, 2026

“Smoovee" By Vel Lewis Featuring Marion Meadows Available May 22, 2026 | Impacting radio May 25, 2026 Hammond organist and keyboardist Vel Lewis presents his new single, “Smoovee,” a sophisticated and engaging track that blends classic Smooth Jazz groove with a modern, polished sound. The release arrives on all digital platforms on May 22, 2026, with radio promotion beginning May 25. Anchored by Vel Lewis’s signature melodic style, “Smoovee” is further elevated by special guest saxophonist Marion Meadows, whose smooth ...
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Recording

Vel Lewis Announces New Smooth Jazz Single "Smoovee" Featuring Marion Meadows

Source: Vel Lewis
April 12, 2026

Available on all digital streaming platforms May 22, 2026; impacting radio May 25, 2026 Award-winning contemporary jazz artist and Hammond organist Vel Lewis announces the release of his new single, “Smoovee” featuring acclaimed saxophonist Marion Meadows. The single will be available on all major digital streaming platforms on May 22, 2026, with an official radio impact date of May 25, 2026. Blending soulful melodies, a laid-back groove, and polished production, “Smoovee" delivers the signature sound that has become synonymous with ...
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Career

Vel Lewis Partners With Mila Art Agency For World Tour

Source: Vel Lewis
July 31, 2025

Renowned Hammond organist, composer, and performer Vel Lewis is proud to announce his partnership with Switzerland-based Mila Art Agency as his official representative for his upcoming world tour. Mila Art Agency is known for its excellence in international artist representation, cultural programming, and global event curation. Mila Art Agency will oversee all tour logistics and concert bookings, bringing Vel’s music to audiences across Europe, Latin America, Asia, and beyond. Vel Lewis joined Dionne Warwick on a world tour between 2003 ...
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Recording

Award-Winning Jazz Hammond Organist Vel Lewis to Release New Single 'I Paid The Price' on November 15, 2024

Source: Vel Lewis
November 9, 2024

Celebrated jazz Hammond organist Vel Lewis is set to release his highly anticipated new single, “I Paid The Price," a soulful and introspective piece showcasing his signature mastery of jazz, soul, and blues. The single will be available on all major streaming platforms on November 15, 2024. Lewis, known for his unmistakable touch on the Hammond organ, has crafted “I Paid The Price" to reflect his deep connection to life’s lessons, love, and the resilience that comes from overcoming challenges. ...
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Advocacy

F2F Music Foundation forms partnership with Gilbreath Communications to promote opportunities to aspiring young musicians

Source: All About Jazz
December 14, 2020

Can improvisation be taught? According to F2F Music Foundation, the answer is a definite yes. F2F Music Foundation, a Houston area-based non-profit performing arts organization, is teaming up with Gilbreath Communications, Inc., to encourage young people to pursue their full potential musically and academically. Gilbreath will act as F2F’s public relations arm to inform young people and their parents about opportunities available through F2F. Founded by renowned contemporary jazz musician Vel Lewis, F2F works with local non-profit organizations and schools ...
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“So different and funky and refreshing. I'll be sure to play this song in days to come. It's special! Not a lot of artists tackle "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." A favorite of mine - and to hear it done like this is a gift.” - Trish Hennessey, Hybrid Jazz From Trish Hennessey

“LOVE IT!!!!! Thank you!!! You just made my day…” - Annie Latin Jazzy Rodriguez of “Up Close & Personal with Latin Jazzy”

“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen . . . guaranteed to be a classic and something you'll want to hear each holiday season.” – Guy Michaels of “The J-Spot” TV show and KPVU 91.3 FM Morning Show, Houston Tony Currie, Director of Programmes, Radio Six International Glasgow, Scotland

“LOVE IT!!!!! Thank you!!! You just made my day…” - Annie Latin Jazzy Rodriguez of “Up Close & Personal with Latin Jazzy”

“Hi Vel… just to let you know, we’re playlisting “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” from Saturday, Nov 29. It’s a great arrangement. We like it a lot. Best wishes for the album.” "Great track (Colors Of Soul) and excellent production! In rotation now. It's clear that Vel understands the "Smooth Jazz" mindset. Excellent track and superb production. Vel conveys the Smooth Jazz formula precisely." - Don Martin, Style Quarterly Radio.com

“Song For My Love...A cool retro Hammond B3 sound with a great melody and groove - familiar yet new!" - Ted Hasiuk, Jazzlynx

“Happy to add the single ("Colors Of Soul") to our network library and our Jazz stream.” - John Corcelli, Canadian Broadcasting Company

"Colors Of Soul is an excellent follow up to Velbert Lewis' Song For My Love. Colors Of Soul has an appealing rhythmic feel to the melody which seems to just glide along freely over the top. I have played the song many times on my two programs and when adding it to my playlist feel it adds to listener's enjoyment of the smooth format of the program. I look forward to hearing more from Velbert Lewis and wish him well." - John Holden, 2BACR FM 100.9, Sydney, Australia. "Colors Of Soul" title track...

"Nice clean sound; good crossover between jazz and adult contemporary." - Virgil Simons, English Radio Barcelona

“I have been using "Colors of Soul" on my program for two months, love it and will keep using it , send me more tunes Vel” - Bill Sharpe, Coast 101.1fm classic hits

“It's difficult to find quality music amongst so many offerings. But this stuff stands out as superior (along with other tracks 'All Wound Up', 'Song for My Love' and 'Maybe So').” - Larry Vidal, 91.8 Hayes FM.org.uk

“Houston Spotlight: Vel Lewis” - Monica Murphy Eaves, The Jazz In M.E.E. Magazine (Oct. 20, 2015)

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