Over the past decade, New York City based tenor saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis has made his mark as one of the leading and most cutting-edge artists in jazz. Voted “Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist” in the 2020 DownBeat Magazine International Critic’s Poll, Lewis very much carries on the torch of those great saxophonists that came before him, like John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, Pharoah Sanders and others. He has just released his highly-anticipated new album with his group the Red Lily Quintet, titled Jesup Wagon on the Brooklyn-based AUM Fidelity label.

On this brilliant recording, Lewis celebrates the life and legacy of turn-of-the-19th century African-American musician, painter, writer, and scientist George Washington Carver with seven superb tracks themed around agriculture sustainability, which was a key component of Carver’s work. The musicianship is at the highest level, with the saxophonist backed by some of New York’s most standout musicians including bassist great William Parker, drummer Chad Taylor, cornetist Kirk Knuffke, and cellist Chris Hoffman. The album is incredible from start to finish, with the ensemble pushing the envelope on some hard-hitting free-wheeling post bop grooves that remind me of those classic Ornette Coleman Quartet sessions. Lewis also incorporates some spoken word narratives to a couple of the tracks including quite possibly the recording’s best track “Fallen Flowers”, and the album’s powerful closer “Chemurgy”.

James Brandon Lewis has released some of the best jazz albums over the past several years, however Jesup Wagon might arguably be his best to date. With each recording, Lewis continues to show that he is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking jazz artists on the scene.

James Brandon Lewis & Red Lily Quintet — Jesup Wagon
(AUM Fidelity)

1. Jesup Wagon
2. Lowlands of Sorrow
3. Arachis
4. Fallen Flowers
5. Experiment Station
6. Seer
7. Chemurgy

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• Jazz