JAMES BRANDON LEWIS & CHAD TAYLOR
Supported by Epistrophy Arts
​
James Brandon Lewis (b.1983 Buffalo NY ) is a critically acclaimed saxophonist, composer, recording artist, and educator. Lewis has received accolades from the New York Times, Q Magazine, and cultural tastemakers such as Ebony Magazine, who hailed him as one of the “7 Young Players to Watch” in today's scene. Lewis has shared stages with Ken Filiano, Darius Jones, and Jason Hwang, William Parker, Hamiet Bluiett, Hamid Drake, Ravi Coltrane, Jimmy Heath Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Joe Lovano Dave Douglas, Marc Ribot, Anthony Coleman, and many others. James Brandon Lewis Lewis has been endorsed by Jazz legend saxophonist Sonny Rollins.
“Promising young player with the potential to do great things having listened to the Elders”. – Jazz Magazine (France).
New York Times had this to say about Lewis: "James Brandon Lewis, a Jazz Saxophonist in his 30's, raw-toned but measured, doesn't sound steeped in current jazz academy values. There's an Independence about him." James Brandon Lewis leads numerous ensembles and is the co-founder of poetry music ensemble Heroes Are Gang Leaders. Lewis attended Howard University and holds an MFA from California Institute of the Arts.
Chad Taylor is a composer, educator, percussionist, scholar, and co-founder of the Chicago Underground Duo and the myriad spinoff Underground ensembles with trumpeter Rob Mazurek.
​
Originally from Tempe, Arizona, Taylor grew up in Chicago where he started performing professionally at the age of 16. Since then, he has performed around the world with avant-luminaries including: Fred Anderson, Derek Bailey, Cooper-Moore, Pharoah Sanders, Marc Ribot, Peter Brötzmann, and Malachi Favors.
​
Taylor leads his own band with pianist Angelica Sanchez and bassist Chris Lightcap. Their debut recording, Circle Down, grabbed a five-star kudos from AllMusic.
“What is remarkable is that there is no wasted motion, no histrionics, or grandstanding, as pure emotion is translated to superlative music making on this most highly recommended recording, one for the ages.” — Allmusic.com
Chad holds a BFA in Jazz Performance from New York City’s The New School and an MFA in Jazz Research and History from Rutgers University.
