Bassist Josh Werner and James Brandon Lewis Fuse Jazz and Hip-Hop on “Apple Cores”
James Brandon Lewis is one of the most exciting saxophonists on the scene today due to his provocative and prolific nature. He’s just released a new trio album called Apple Cores that continues to cement his place in the musical realm.
The album takes its name from a column written by Amiri Baraka for DownBeat in the 1960s, but it also has a deep influence from trumpeter Don Cherry. Each song title makes subtle references to the free jazz pioneer.
“The record itself is a nod to Amiri but mainly a nod to Don Cherry, using Amiri as a branch to really get the conversation going,” Lewis states. “It’s not a tribute in the sense that we’re playing Don Cherry compositions, but that the music is commenting on his musical curiosity.”
Apple Cores came out of a series of improvised sessions with Lewis’s bandmates: drummer Chad Taylor and bassist Josh Werner. As a trio album without a chordal instrument, each instrument is able to fill space (or not) as they see fit. Werner’s bass, then, weighs heavily on the album’s sound.
Werner’s own background includes collaborations with Lee “Scratch” Perry, Robert Glasper, Wu-Tang Clan, CoCoRosie, Matisyahu, and many more. His musical DNA is apparent from the very first track, “Apple Cores #1,” which sees him laying down a jazz-infused hip-hop groove.
Apple Cores is out now on CD, vinyl, and as a digital download (Apple Music and Amazon Music).
Apple Cores Track List:
- Apple Cores #1
- Prince Eugene
- Five Spots to Caravan
- Of Mind and Feeling
- Apple Cores #2
- Remember Brooklyn & Moki
- Broken Shadows
- D.C. Got Pocket
- Apple Cores #3
- Don’t Forget Jayne
- Exactly, Our Music
Track 6 & 7 Swapped on LP Sequencing
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
