For Mahalia, With Love

Lewis’ music is a fitting blend of the passion, intelligence and grace that defined a woman whose spirit is eternal and whose talent remains a monument of modern music. — Jazzwise More…

Release Date: 8th Sep 2023
Catalogue No: TAO13LP
Label: TAO Forms

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For Mahalia, With Love

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Interview, James Brandon Lewis for the Love of Gospel

22nd November 2023

The acclaimed American saxophonist discusses spirituality, his gospel roots and appreciation for Mahalia Jackson plus what keeps him motivated as he skilfully teeters along the knife-edge of modern jazz.

'For Mahalia, With Love' is the highly anticipated new album by award-winning tenor saxophonist-composer James Brandon Lewis & his Red Lily Quintet, following on their groundbreaking and poll-sweeping 'Jesup Wagon'. This powerful work reimagines songs made famous by the gospel icon who galvanized a nation with her voice.

Whereas Lewis used his transformative talents to newly illuminate renaissance man George Washington Carver on Jesup Wagon, the saxophonist does the same here for gospel-music force of nature Mahalia Jackson. And this time it’s personal, because Lewis lived her music growing up, nurtured by a grandmother who had received Mahalia’s singing like a bolt from above. Much more than a tribute, this work is “really a three-way conversation between Mahalia, my grandmother and me.”

The challenge was to turn these songs into jazz, the 21st century variety. What James and the band [ William Parker-bass, Chad Taylor-drums, Kirk Knuffke-cornet, Chris Hoffman-cello ] conjure with this music is miraculous.

James Brandon Lewis: tenor saxophone, arrangements

Kirk Knuffke: cornet

William Parker: bass

Chad Taylor: drums

Chris Hoffman: cello

Reviews

Lewis’ music is a fitting blend of the passion, intelligence and grace that defined a woman whose spirit is eternal and whose talent remains a monument of modern music.

This is spiritual jazz in its most fundamental and undiluted form.

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For Mahalia, With Love

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Interview, James Brandon Lewis for the Love of Gospel

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For Mahalia, With Love

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