Drumming News :
If you’ve ever listened to vinyl, a CD, or the radio in the Bay Area, you’ve likely heard the work of James “Mingo” Lewis.
Lewis, a renowned percussionist, drummer, and composer, died in January 2026 from lung disease at age 72. A former Vallejo resident, he was a vital force in Latin rock and jazz fusion, known for his versatility across congas, bongos, timbales, bata, drums, and a wide range of percussion instruments.
Over a decades-long career, Lewis performed with some of the most influential musicians in modern music, including Santana, Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke, Airto, Flora Purim, Jean-Luc Ponty, Bill Summers, and The Tubes. He was a member of Chick Corea’s jazz fusion group Return to Forever and played on Santana’s landmark early-1970s recordings.
Lewis was especially closely associated with guitarist Al Di Meola, serving as a band member on Di Meola’s first five albums. He also received songwriting credit on four of those releases, including “The Wizard,” “Flight Over Rio,” and “Chasin’ the Voodoo.” Beyond jazz fusion, his session work extended to artists such as Billy Joel, Todd Rundgren, and XTC.
In addition to performing, Lewis composed music for the Colombian crime drama Sangre Negra and taught Afro-Cuban music in Bogotá. He even made a guest appearance on the series in 2022.
Live concert promoter Jeff Trager, who knew Lewis during the rise of Latin rock in the Bay Area, recalled him as a remarkably gifted musician whose talent earned him a place among the greats. Former Vallejo City Councilmember Thomas Bartee also remembered Lewis as a kind, fascinating presence and a lasting link to San Francisco’s vibrant 1970s music scene.
Though often behind the scenes, Mingo Lewis’s rhythmic imprint spans genres, generations, and some of the most influential recordings of the last half-century.
