James Brandon Lewis

Jesup Wagon is the astonishing new work from the fertile creative mind of ascendant tenor saxophonist-composer James Brandon Lewis, voted Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist in the 2020 DownBeat Magazine International Critic's Poll. On his ninth release he leads the Red Lily Quintet, an exceptional inter-generational ensemble assembled specifically for this project. The album speaks eloquently to the forever-evolving continuum of the jazz tradition. Essentially a collection of tone poems - or, as Duke Ellington might have called them, "tone parallels" - Duke being the instigator of this type of programmatic jazz.

Days of FreeMan is a retrospective album that picks up where Divine Travels ended, further exploring the identity of saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. The album is a soundscape inspired by and channeling, but not duplicating, the fragmented sounds of his early childhood days in Buffalo, NY, on Freeman Street, where his ears were washed with early '90s hip-hop. Through sound, each track explores vital themes of earlier times and today - social, political, scientific and religious.

Days of FreeMan is a retrospective album that picks up where Divine Travels ended, further exploring the identity of saxophonist James Brandon Lewis. The album is a soundscape inspired by and channeling, but not duplicating, the fragmented sounds of his early childhood days in Buffalo, NY, on Freeman Street, where his ears were washed with early '90s hip-hop. Through sound, each track explores vital themes of earlier times and today - social, political, scientific and religious. On Days of FreeMan, Lewis is joined by electric bass legend Jamaaladeen Tacuma and drummer Rudy Royston. James Brandon Lewis was raised in the church, which formed the core of the saxophonist's spiritual outlook. While many musicians are inspired by the church, Lewis says that it's most important impact was not musical but personal, laying the foundation for his creative approach.

TAO Forms is rather stoked to present this astonishing new work from the fertile creative mind of tenor saxophonist–composer James Brandon Lewis. Performed by the Red Lily Quintet, an exceptional & singular inter-generational ensemble, this album speaks to the forever-evolving continuum of the jazz tradition.

James Brandon Lewis is at the top of the international jazz world. He stands in the tradition of saxophonists such as Sonny Rollins, Albert Ayler and John Coltrane.

Saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis possesses an inspiring energy. His deep curiosity and the thrill he gets from discovery are crucial facets of his personality, and qualities that guide his art.

An Unruly Manifesto is an album dedicated to Charlie Haden & Ornette Coleman and Surrealism. Lewis describes this album as a call to action. “ Everyday is a chance to discover the truest version of your self and charge after that relentlessly”.

Somewhat forgotten amidst the excitement surrounding James Brandon Lewis' UnRuly Manifesto (Relative Pitch, 2019) was the excellent release that preceded it. Radiant Imprints (Off, 2018), a duo release with drummer Chad Taylor, put the focus squarely on Lewis' extraordinary tenor saxophone prowess and his strong accord with one of the most in-demand drummers in creative jazz.

Gospel music has been a key influence on jazz throughout much of its storied history; on For Mahalia, With Love, the connection is explicit. Inspired by the life and work of gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, tenor saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis has created a fine tribute, and one that is personal: the singer's impact on his grandmother in turn made an impression on her musical grandson.