James Brandon Lewis Quartet,
Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna

James Brandon Lewis Quartet

In their Finnish debute, the quartet led by James Brandon Lewis will treat the festival audience with fresh material!

Endorsed by giants like Sonny Rollins, the charismatic saxophonist and composer James Brandon Lewis is currently one of the most recognized musicians on the international contemporary jazz scene. The band’s two widely acclaimed albums, Molecular (2020) and Code of Being (2022), will be followed their third album Transfiguration, to be released in February. Just in time for their first visit to Finland!

“When I listen to you, I listen to Buddha, I listen to Confucius… I listen to the deeper meaning of life. You are keeping the world in balance.” – Sonny Rollins

In recent years, James Brandon Lewis has been chosen as the most promising tenor saxophonist in an international critics’ poll by Downbeat magazine, and the best saxophonist by the American Jazz Journalists Association. The saxophonist has balanced deep gospel-inspired spirituality with the wildness of free jazz and a strong foundation of funk and hip-hop, making him a magnificent extension of the legacies of Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane.

As a group, the four exceptional musicians, create an urgent ensemble sound, moving through a broad palette of sound-colours, rhythms and moods, charged with energy.

James Brandon Lewis, saxophone(US)
Aruán Ortiz, piano (CU)
Brad Jones, bass (US)
Chad Taylor, drums (US)

Kuva: Ben Pier

7:30pm doors
8pm Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna
approx. 9pm intermission
approx. 9:30pm James Brandon Lewis Quartet

Tickets €36/31 + order fees (from €1.50), Lippu.fi
Duration approx. 2h 45min with intermission

Louhi Hall, Espoo Cultural Centre
Kulttuuriaukio 2, 02100 Espoo (Google Maps / HSL Journey Planner)

Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna

Founded by its chief conductors Manuel Hermia and Kari Ikonen in 2015, Orchestra Nazionale della Luna has quickly become one of the most important orchestras on the Moon. Its diverse and highly original repertoire, as well as its inventive and energetic way of playing is fascinating lunatics and music lovers all over the Moon and even on Earth. Their third album is observing Earth's problems in the eyes of Selene, the goddess of the Moon. Selene’s View will be released this spring by highly renowned label BMC, and in April the orchestra lands on Earth again, for the pleasure and distraction of jazz lovers!

“Those who believe that everything has been said about the sax-piano-bass-drums quartet have not yet heard Orchestra Nazionale Della Luna: these four will shake their ears!” 
– Jean-Pierre Goffin, Jazzhalo (BE)

Manuel Hermia, saxophones, flute & bansouri (BE)
Kari Ikonen, piano & moog synthesizer (FI)
Sébastien Boisseau, double bass (FR)
Teun Verbruggen, drums (BE)