Lew Gillis Series
Lew Gillis (1927–1989) of Fort Worth, Texas, was constantly in demand as a composer, arranger, teacher, conductor, and trombonist in every facet of the music business. His work ranged from symphony orchestras and handbell choirs to film scores and big bands — not to mention the Miss Texas Pageants, Bob Hope Shows, the TCU Marching Band, rodeos, and commercial jingles. Lew was always on the go, yet he still found time, as he put it, “to write for my true love … brass.”
In 1986, when we were just getting off the ground, Lew bestowed a much-valued distinction on Virgo Music Publishers by choosing us to publish several of his compositions and arrangements. Over the years, he and I developed a warm relationship. I was honoured when he dedicated his beautiful arrangement of George Gershwin’s Someone to Watch Over Me to “Ken Shifrin and the Birmingham Trombone Choir.”
In 1987, Virgo played a key role in commissioning Lew’s trombone quartet London Bridge Is All Jazzed Up! for the British Trombone Society’s First Birmingham International Trombone Festival. I remember saying to him, “I’ll try to make you famous over here,” to which he replied with a twinkle in his eye, “Don’t make me famous — make me rich!”
– Ken Shifrin