Jazz Guitar At The Greenbrier: “America’s Resort”

Guitarist Vince Lewis talks about one of the best gigs in his career – at one of the top resorts in the world

In the small rural city of White Sulphur Springs, WV sits an amazing and historically significant Resort.  The Greenbrier, known as “America’s Resort”, was founded in 1778 and was originally known for its healing spring waters.  During World War II it was used as an internment center for enemy diplomats, a general hospital for US troops, and later housed a Cold War Bunker.  The bunker was to serve as a refuge for the US Congress to relocate to in the event of an attack on our Nation.  It was built in 1958 and remained a secret until the Washington Post exposed it in 1992.

The current main building of the Greenbrier was constructed in 1913 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and was owned by them for much of its history.  In 2009 WV Senator Jim Justice purchased the Greenbrier and remains the current owner of the Resort.  A total of 29 US Presidents have stayed at the hotel, and it is a regular stop for many US and International dignitaries, Heads of State, Entertainment Stars and major sporting events. It also is home to an in-house Casino Club which opened on July 2, 2010.

My service to the Greenbrier began many years ago when I would come up from my hometown of Charleston, WV to play with various dance bands for private events.  Later on, I would have an occasional position filling in for a member of the House Band in the Old White Club which was located in the Hotel.  This room has been remodeled and renamed Prime 44, which is a premier steak house previously owned by NBA Legend Jerry West.  West was a proud WV native and enjoyed a private home on the hotel grounds.

Each afternoon the guests are served complimentary High Tea and pastries in The Upper Lobby. This has been a tradition for over 100 years.  Since the retirement of house pianist Walter Scott, providing the live music for this part of the Greenbrier experience is shared by myself and pianist John Maddy.  John and I have moved into permanent roles providing solo entertainment also in the showcase Main Dining Room of the Hotel for 4 hours for the diners 7 days a week year-round.

The clientele in the Main Dining Room matches the Menu, which is upscale and sophisticated as would be expected in a Resort of this caliber.  Our music combines tunes from The Great American Songbook as well as light Pop tunes from the more recent years which lend themselves to appropriate Jazz presentation.

Filling the role of a position previously held by solo pianists since 2017 continues to be an honor that I appreciate each time I enter the grounds of this wonderful Resort.  The long serving and loyal staff is generational, and dedicated to the highest quality service to each and every guest.  The reception to my Solo Jazz Guitar both at Tea and in The Main Dining Room is extremely gratifying, and the management is totally supportive of me and my work as well.    

There is a wonderful Coffee Table Book by the Greenbrier Historian Dr Robert Conte that I highly recommend, and there is no better place to continue my long career in Music than returning to my home base of The Greenbrier: America’s Resort.

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