LEWIS, George.

Description

Gürzenich, Cologne March 1960 concert poster (Wolf D. Zimmermann)

Original first printing concert poster advertising American traditional jazz clarinetist and bandleader George Lewis (1900—1968) at the Gürzenich in Cologne [Germany] on Wednesday, 16th March, 1960, presented by Karl H. Lyrmann in cooperation with Ralf Schulte-Bahrenberg, and with Mr. Acker Bilk’s Paramount Jazz Band also on the bill. Born in the French Quarter of New Orleans in 1900, George Lewis achieved his greatest fame and influence in the later decades of his life. In the late 1940s and early 1950s his recordings reached the UK and influenced clarinetists Monty Sunshine and Acker Bilk. They became important contributors to the traditional jazz scene in the UK and accompanied Lewis when he toured the country. Lewis visited England in 1957, playing throughout the country with Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen. In 1959 he returned, this time with his full band, and received a warm response. In 1959 he visited Denmark and played at Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen. Lewis appeared at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1957 and was a regular at Preservation Hall, recording and touring widely with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band as leader. George Lewis died on 31st December, 1968. The poster features artwork by graphic artist Wolf Dieter Zimmermann, with the artist’s imprint to the bottom right corner.

Printed by Hubert Hoch, Düsseldorf, the poster measures 83.8 x 59.4 cm and is printed on thin, uncoated paper stock. In excellent unfolded and unmarked condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have concerning this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.