James Brandon Lewis tenor sax · Kirk Knuffke cornet · Tomeka Reid cello · Silvia Bolognesi bass · Lily Finnegan drums
The album “For Mahalia, With Love” by James Brandon Lewis is a passionate ode that connects the spiritual legacy of jazz with the intensity and joy of gospel music as interpreted by Mahalia Jackson. This work is a celebration of tradition and innovation, where Lewis and his Red Lily Quintet offer a new interpretation of classic spiritual songs, with an energy reminiscent of great figures like Albert Ayler, John Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders. The album has been praised by critics for its ability to reconnect spiritual jazz with the passion of gospel, considering it a major triumph for Lewis and his group. With arrangements ranging from reverence to creative abstraction, Lewis showcases his versatility as a musician, balancing spiritual power with the spontaneity of jazz improvisation. This work not only honors the memory of Mahalia Jackson but also serves as a bridge between generations, keeping the universal message of gospel music alive in the contemporary jazz context.
