[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         LEWIS ``LUIGI'' WAITES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. LEE TERRY

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 28, 2011

  Mr. TERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor the 
extraordinary talents and accomplishments of the legendary 
percussionist/vibraphonist Mr. Lewis ``Luigi'' Waites.
  Luigi was born July 10, 1927, in Omaha, Nebraska. He began playing 
drums at age 12 and soon after began playing local nightclubs around 
Omaha. While Luigi served in the U.S. Army at Camp Lee, Virginia, he 
met jazz drummer Elvin Jones, who gave him further drum instruction.
  Over his long career, Luigi shared the stage with jazz legends such 
as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, and Sarah Vaughan. 
He was a tireless musician; appearing weekly at a local tavern, Mr. 
Toad's, since 1975. In addition, he helped organize performances for 
the Omaha Summer Arts Festival.
  Beyond his acclaim as a musician, Luigi was known for his generosity, 
openness and selflessness on-stage and off. As a teacher and mentor to 
fellow musicians, he encouraged individuals to explore their creativity 
and expanded their skills as evidenced by The Contemporaries, a youth 
drill team and drum corps he organized.
  Waites' accolades include being named the Nebraska Art Council's 
artist of the year for 2006. In the same year, he received a lifetime 
achievement award at the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award ceremony. 
He was inducted into the Omaha Black Music Hall of Fame in 2005. After 
thousands of performances through several decades, Luigi died 
peacefully on Tuesday, April 6, 2010 at the age of 82. A family man, he 
was the father of 6 children, 8 grandchildren, and 13 great-
grandchildren at the time of his passing.
  As we celebrate Black History month, we recognize the immense 
contributions African Americans have made to this country--from 
innovations in science and technology to accomplishments in the arts 
and culture that have benefited us all. Luigi's legacy as an artist and 
teacher deserves our thanks and applause.

                          ____________________