Jazz UpFront pilots a new series this weekend called “Straight Ahead Sundays.” These early evening, no frills, no cover sets feature pure jazz artists, starting with the Reginald Lewis Quintet.
Tenor saxophonist Lewis regularly holds court at Jazz UpFront since arriving in Bloomington-Normal last year. Lewis plays every style, but is particularly drawn to hard bop, the music of his "Bop Pop" — how Lewis refers to his grandfather and mentor Robert “Bootsie” Barnes.
“He gave me a Yamaha 23 student model alto saxophone which I still have right here in this closet,” said Lewis in his office at Illinois Wesleyan University. He learned basic scales on the smaller instrument, then switched to tenor saxophone.
“He taught me the lines on the staff—F.A.C.E. and Every Good Boy Does Fine. I was taking lessons with him ever since.”
Barnes was a staple of Philadelphia’s jazz scene for six decades. He died of COVID-19 in 2020.
“You didn’t go through Philadelphia and play an instrument without seeing Bootsie Barnes. He had a jam session every week. He lived the music. He was there when [John] Coltrane first came to town. He was hanging out with Benny Golson and the Grubbs brothers. They all played in the same bands; they knew each other.”
Lewis directs the jazz program at IWU, having previously taught at Lincoln College until the liberal arts college closed in 2022. Lewis holds a doctorate from the University of Illinois and also studied at Jackson State University and the University of Manitoba. His wrote his dissertation on his grandfather’s career.
“Looking into what he did motivated me to keep his legacy alive,” Lewis said.
As the mid-century masters increasingly pass away, Lewis says the next generation of jazz titans is not just teed up — they’re already here. He points to Immanuel Wilkins, Warren Wolf and Arnetta Johnson — the latter a high school classmate of Lewis in their hometown of Camden, NJ — as the wavemakers on top of their game.
“They’re already out there doing their thing,” Lewis said, “but they come from people like Bootsie Barnes.”
A growing IWU jazz program in a growing scene
Lewis arrived at Illinois Wesleyan just as School of Music director Franklin Larey looked poised to shepherd through a precarious period. Larey has since left for the top music job at Ball State University, leaving two of the school’s highest profile jobs to Lewis and Logan Campbell— both visiting professors on temporary contracts. Lewis remains optimistic and said the program is growing, having recently added a jazz minor to the curriculum.
“The students are enthused and excited,” he said. “That’s all you need is some students that want to do this music.”
Former jazz director Glenn Wilson has expressed dismay about the state of the professional jazz scene locally, but where Wilson saw gaps, Lewis sees potential.
“There are amazing players at Wesleyan and Illinois State,” he said. “You’ve got great players like Thaddeus Tukes right here in this city. You have a legend, John Campbell, who’s from Bloomington and went out and played with Clark Terry. We have people who come up from Champaign to play.”
Lewis sees Jazz UpFront as the place — the epicenter of the scene — if we can keep it.
“We have to make it ‘the place,’” he said. “We need people to come support the music. If you want to see more jazz you need to come out and support. That’s what keeps the music alive — is us.”
The Reginald Lewis Quintet plays from 5-7:30 p.m. Sunday at Jazz UpFront, 107 W. Front St., Bloomington. Jazz UpFront is a 21-and-up venue. There is no cover fee for this show. Visit jazzupfront.com.
