Webster Lewis
Webster Lewis was an American jazz and disco composer, arranger, and keyboardist known for blending soulful grooves with sophisticated arrangements.?
Born Webster Samuel Lewis on September 1, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, to parents Webster S. Lewis Sr. and Virgie Gaines Lewis, he showed musical talent early with family encouragement. He earned a bachelor's in sociology from Morgan State University, co-founding Iota Phi Theta fraternity there, and later a master's from the New England Conservatory of Music under Gunther Schuller, where he served as associate dean from 1972-1978.
Lewis began in jazz, collaborating with Tony Williams, George Russell, Bill Evans, and Stanton Davis, and released early works like those on Counterpoint Records. He arranged and toured for Herbie Hancock and Barry White, produced for Gwen McCrae and Michael Wycoff, and worked with artists including Michael Jackson, The Jacksons, Tom Jones, and Thelma Houston. In the 1970s-80s, he shifted to disco hits like "Touch My Love," soundtracks for films such as The Hearse (1980), Body and Soul (1981), and My Tutor (1983), plus TV commercials.
From 1995-1999, he taught jazz voice and arrangement as a visiting professor at Howard University. His final recording was with Barry White on Welcome Aboard.
Lewis died on November 20, 2002, at age 59 in Barryville, New York, from pneumonia and diabetes complications; he left partner Libre Jasiri.
Let Me Be The One
Producer – Skip Scarborough, Webster Lewis
Written-By – E. Straughter, R. Taylor, S. Scarborough
3:48
A2 Open Up Your Eyes
Producer – Skip Scarborough, Webster Lewis
Written-By – R. Taylor, S. Scarborough
3:43
A3 You Are My Life
Producer – Charles Veal, Jr., Webster Lewis
Written-By – C. Veal, Jr., M. Dean, W. Lewis
3:36
A4 Dancer
Producer – Skip Scarborough, Webster Lewis
Written-By – J. Rowin, S. Scarborough
3:41
A5 Let Me Be The One
Producer – Charles Veal, Jr., Webster Lewis
Written-By – C. Fearing, C. Veal, Jr., M. Dean
3:47
B1 Love Won't Harm No One
Producer – Skip Scarborough, Webster Lewis
Written-By – B. Ighner
4:39
B2 El Bobo
Producer – Skip Scarborough, Webster Lewis
Written-By – W. Lewis
4:08
B3 Kemo-Kimo
Producer – Webster Lewis
Written-By – J. Gadson, W. Lewis
4:36
B4 Flying High
Producer – Charles Veal, Jr., Webster Lewis
Written-By – C. Veal, Jr., W. Lewis
3:22
B5 A Quiet Thing
Producer – Skip Scarborough, Webster Lewis
Written-By – F. Ebb - J. Kander
Label: Epic – FE 36878
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Jazz-Funk, Disco
Released in 1981 on Epic Records, Let Me Be The One is the fifth and final solo studio album by jazz-trained keyboardist Webster Lewis. The album is considered a "jazzy soul masterpiece" that balances smooth West Coast textures with contemporary jazz-funk and disco-soul.
Co-produced by Lewis alongside Skip Scarborough and Charles Veal Jr., featuring polished arrangements with lush strings and mellow Rhodes piano.
The album features a "stellar cast" including keyboardist Herbie Hancock, guitarist David T. Walker, and percussionist Willie Bobo.
Notable Tracks:-
"Let Me Be The One" & "You Are My Life": Up-tempo dance tracks noted for their "Rod Temperton quality," drawing comparisons to George Benson’s early 80s work.
"El Bobo": A classic jazz-funk-Latin instrumental featuring Willie Bobo on percussion.
"Open Up Your Eyes" & "Love Won't Harm No One": Standout ballads praised for their mellow, atmospheric "chill-out" feel.
"Dancer": A mid-tempo anthem described as having a Ramsey Lewis-styled groove.
The album reached #22 on the U.S. Jazz charts and #49 on the U.S. R&B charts. While originally an Epic release, it was later reissued on CD by Expansion Records in 2008, often including bonus tracks like "Reach Out" and "Boston".