James Brandon Lewis Trio announces new album, Apple Cores

Earlier this year, saxophonist James Brandon Lewis released a collaborative album with D.C. punk group The Messthetics (featuring former members of Fugazi). And now the jazz artist is preparing another new release with his trio, featuring collaborators Chad Taylor (drums/mbira) and Josh Werner (bass/guitar). Apple Cores is out February 7 via Anti-, and it’s a fully improvised set of music. Hear “Five Spots to Caravan” below.

“If you don’t spend time with your band, you’re not going to really trust that moment,” Lewis said in a statement. “I think we’ve spent enough time together to where we can do that. I’ve been playing Chad for like ten years, so that’s like water right there and me and Josh have been playing together since 2018.”

James Brandon Lewis and The Messthetics’ collaborative album is featured on our list of the Best Albums of 2024 So Far.

James Brandon Lewis Trio Apple Cores tracklist:

1. Apple Cores #1
2. Prince Eugene
3. Five Spots to Caravan
4. Of Mind and Feeling
5. Apple Cores #2
6. Remember Brooklyn & Moki
7. Broken Shadows
8. D.C. Got Pockets
9. Apple Cores #3
10. Don’t Forget Jayne
11. Exactly, Our Music