Michael Andre Lewis, Mandré, (December 7, 1948 in Omaha, Nebraska – January 31, 2012 in Shreveport, Louisiana) was an American musician known for his synthesizer recordings at Motown. As Andre Lewis he also contributed to Labelle's Moon Shadow and Whitney Houston's Just Whitney. He toured or recorded with Grant Green, The Who, Labelle, Buddy Miles Band, Maxayn, Rufus, White Chocolate, Earth Wind and Fire and Frank Zappa. He was also band leader for Johnny "Guitar" Watson.
His debut single as Mandré "Solar Flight (Opus I)", was a hit from a self-titled debut album Mandré.Ben Watson, W. C. Bamberger - Honesty Is Explosive!: Selected Music Journalism 2010- Page 49 "not since the albums Mandre cut for Motown in the mid-' 70s had black pop been so keyboard-based and hi-tech. This was dance music by someone who understood New Wave starkness and minimalism." He formerly played with his band Maxayn, named after the singer, and later his wife, Maxayn Lewis, (born Paulette Parker).The Gangster of Love: Johnny Guitar Watson Vincent Bakker - 2009 Page 88 "In fact, this was an existing band, formed by Emry Thomas and Andre Lewis, called Maxayn. Watson became a member, Andre is still the leader. The band was named after Maxayn Lewis, singing member and then companion of Andre Lewis, " Career 1960s During the 1960s, Lewis led the group, The New Breed a.k.a. Andre Lewis and the New Breed.United Mutations - andre lewisFind a Grave - Michael Andre “Mandré” Lewis The band also included Stemsy Hunter, Hoshal Wright, Jerry Bennett, Hank Redd and Curly Martin.Nebraska Music Hall of Fame - HERBIE RICH 1970s Andre Lewis made a significant contribution to Buddy Miles' Them Changes album which was released in 1970. He played organ on "Heart’s Delight", organ and clavinet on "Dreams" and contributed backing vocals, organ, clavinet and backing vocals on "Down by the River", and organ on "Your Feeling Is Mine".Session Days - 1970 Buddy Miles – Them Changes, Musicians He also co-wrote the track "Paul B. Allen, Omaha, Nebraska" with Buddy Miles. He was the arranger for that track.Session Days - 1970 Buddy Miles – Them Changes, TracksSession Days - 1970 Buddy Miles – Them Changes, Liner Notes
Lewis' group Maxayn played at the Whisky A Go Go in 1972. Both Maxayn's performance as well as the performance by Sparks was reviewed in the 20 May issue of Cash Box. The reviewer noted that Lewis was impressive on bass and played a Billy Preston-ish type organ. Lewis also alternated between lead vocals and electric piano.Cash Box, May 20, 1972 - Page 20 cash box / talent on stage, Maxayn Sparks
Along with wife Maxayn Lewis and Marlo Henderson, Andre Lewis was a part of the group High Voltage who released a self-titled album and a single in 1972 on the Columbia label.Jazz Rock Soul, 14 Jan 2021 - High Voltage
1980s - 1990s Lewis was part of the Buddy Miles and the Mighty Rhythm Tribe project. It also included Marlo Henderson and his fellow Ohama musicians, Stemsy Hunter and Bill Rich.Monstor Robot - Stemsy Hunter He played on the 1993 album release and contributed to some of the compositions.Session Days - 1993 Buddy Miles – The Mighty Rhythm Tribe Discography Albums Mandré - 1977 Mandré Two - 1978 M3000 - 1979 Mandré 4 - 1982
Singles "Solar Flight (Opus 1)" 1977 "Keep Tryin'" 1977 "Maxymus Lyte" (Opus III) 1978 "Fair Game" 1978 "Light Years" (Opus IV) 1978 "Spirit Groove" 1979 "Freakin's Fine" 1979
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