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James Brandon Lewis: Jesup Wagon

By Mark Corroto
May 14, 2021
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Most listeners have long since moved saxophonist

James Brandon Lewis

saxophone, tenor
b.1983

" data-original-title="" title="">James Brandon Lewis from the rising star category to one labeled virtuoso. But then, pianist

Matthew Shipp

piano
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Matthew Shipp signaled this status when he mentored Lewis early on and certainly bassist

" data-original-title="" title="">William Parker ordained his arrival by recording with the saxophonist on his major label debut, Divine Travels (Okeh, 2014). Parker returns for this latest release, as does drummer

Chad Taylor

drums
b.1973

" data-original-title="" title="">Chad Taylor who can be heard on the quartet recording Molecular (Intakt Records, 2020) and two duo releases Live in Willisau (Intakt Records, 2020) and Radiant Imprints (Off, 2018). Lewis' Red Lily Quintet is rounded out by cornet star

Kirk Knuffke

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Kirk Knuffke (

Allison Miller

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Allison Miller's Boom Tic Boom and

Matt Wilson

drums
b.1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Wilson Quartet) and cellist

Chris Hoffman

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Hoffman (

Henry Threadgill

woodwinds
b.1944

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Threadgill).

Jesup Wagon is inspired and dedicated to the African-American inventor, scientist, and author George Washington Carver, a true renaissance man on par with Leonardo da Vinci. Lewis opens the disc with a tenor exploration that calls to mind

Pharoah Sanders

saxophone, tenor
1940 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Pharoah Sanders' explorations before the quintet sets upon a folkish groove with Knuffke's cornet dancing along the the saxophonist. This composition, like the remaining were all composed by Lewis and they all have a connection to an agrarian landscape and people. Yes this is jazz, but it also comes from beyond a metropolis. Take for instance "Chemurgy" (the use of agricultural raw material in industry) which conjures the music of

Ornette Coleman

saxophone, alto
1930 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Ornette Coleman with

Don Cherry

trumpet
1936 - 1995

" data-original-title="" title="">Don Cherry. Here the earthiness is supplied by Parker's gimbri. The track ends with Lewis' spoken poetry, which we also hear on "Fallen Flowers." The latter song pairs Lewis and Knuffke before flowering into a meditative groove from Taylor plus bass and cello. While Lewis' tenor saxophone is built upon broad shoulders, he yields often to his quintet. Taylor's mbira flavors "Seer" which keeps the mood bright and accentuates the interlaced melody. Jesup Wagon should be in the running for album of the year honors.

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Track Listing

Jesup Wagon; Lowlands of Sorrow; Arachis; Fallen Flowers; Experiment Station; Seer; Chemurgy.

Personnel

James Brandon Lewis

saxophone, tenor

Kirk Knuffke

trumpet

Christopher Hoffman

cello

William Parker

bass

Chad Taylor

drums

Additional Instrumentation

William Parker: sintir; Chad Taylor: mbira.

Album information

Title: Jesup Wagon | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Tao Forms

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