A saxophonist who embodies and transcends tradition” (The New York Times), James Brandon Lewis has become, in just over a decade, one of the most celebrated young artists in jazz — an artist who has carved a niche for his singular mixture of gospel, blues, and R&B with the incendiary saxophone explorations of John Coltrane, Albert Ayler, and Sonny Rollins. His performance coincides with the release of his new ANTI Records recording, Eye and I. His Live Trio features electric bassist Josh Werner and drummer Chad Taylor.   

The trio is preparing to hit the road for a European stretch where they will kick it off on April 30th in Istanbul and conclude the run on May 30th in Poland. 

James Brandon Lewis’ solos are like a jumbo jet,” enthuses Marc Ribot. “You need to give them plenty of runway space to take off and land. Because they’re huge, not just in terms of sound, chops, soul, ideas, energy, and originality, (although they have all these in abundance), but because they’re carrying a precious cargo: the living legacy of John Coltrane. I’m not talking about some skillful ‘young lion’s’ reproduction of a historic jazz sound, but a young artist’s courage to take up the spiritual challenge—to channel what needs to be channeled now.

About Bassist Josh Werner: As a session musician, Josh Werner has worked with Lee “Scratch” Perry, Cibo Matto, Wu-Tang Clan, Vacationer, Ghostface Killah, Mabel, Vybz Kartel, James Brandon Lewis, The Alchemist, Popcaan, Tunde Adebimpe, CocoRosie, The RZA, Sinkane, Sly and Robbie, Matisyahu, K Michelle and is a frequent collaborator of noted American bassist / producer Bill Laswell. 

Werner is a former member of Roots Tonic, the original backing band of Matisyahu. He was the bassist and co-writer of the Certified Gold RIAA albums Matisyahu (Live at Stubb’s) and the Grammy nominated album Youth. Producer Bill Laswell was so impressed with Youth the band that he invited them to record a dub album with him. The result, Roots Tonic meets Bill Laswell, was released in mid-2006 on Reach Out International Records.

EUROPEAN TOUR DATES 

30.04.2023 ISTANBUL / Turkey Nova Muzak international Jazz Day 

12.05.2023 GENEVE/Switzerland – AMR – Sud des Alpes

13.05.2023 MECHELEN/Belgium – kunstencentrum nona

14.05.2023 not available

15.05.2023 FORLI/Italy – LUPO

16.05.2023 MANTOVA/Italy – Palazzo Te Cortile d’Onore

17.05.2023 BIEL/Switzerland – Le Singe

18.05.2023 not available

19.05.2023 ZÜRICH/Switzerland – Moods

20.05.2023 ROTTERDAM/Netherlands – LantarenVenster

21.05.2023 not available

22.05.2023 BREMEN/Germany – Mensa 13 (@ Hochschule für Künste Bremen)

24.05.2023 WIEN/Austria – Porgy & Bess Jazz & Music Club

25.05.2023 SALZBURG/Austria – JAZZIT:MUSIK:CLUB:SALZBURG (Jazz im Theater)

26.05.2023 GENT/Belgium

27.05.2023 LONDON/England – VORTEX Jazz Club

28.05.2023 BERN/Switzerland – bee-flat (Turnhalle) im PROGR

30.05.2023 KATOWICE/Poland – NOSPR – Chamber Hall

For more on Werner: Click Here

For more on James Brandon Lewis: Click Here