Saxophonist James Brandon Lewis (1983) is at the forefront of the international jazz scene. He possesses a powerful, direct, and rich tenor sax sound with a highly lyrical quality, which is particularly effective with his James Brandon Lewis Quartet. He has also become a highly acclaimed composer and writer. The New York Times described him as “a saxophonist who embodies and transcends tradition” and jazz legend Sonny Rollins saw him as a promising young talent who has listened closely to the older generation. Lewis possesses a deep, gospel-inspired spirituality that he balances with more free-form jazz. Last year saw the release of no fewer than two albums, Apple Cores and Abstraction Is Deliverance, the latter featuring his acclaimed quartet, made up of Aruán Ortiz (piano), Brad Jones (bass), and Chad Taylor (drums). Music with a profound feel for lyrical melodies, tonal precision, and dynamics.
