The inspiration behind his premier album Moments, James offers the listener the chance to escape to the Sunshine of South Africa, to a park where children play, to moments of solitude and reflection. This work features a wide array of material from soulful grooves of the title track “Moments “to the sweet innocence of a child with the waltz “Leilani” to the heart pounding African drumming on “I remember South Africa”. This work is a journey through different time periods that we all experience in life. The album will uplift you, make you laugh, make you smile and think of the times you have shared with family, friends and loved ones. James Brandon Lewis presents a piece that will be remembered for its sincerity, its honesty and for the journey it takes the listener.
The cd -features amazing musicians -
---------- The James Brandon Lewis Quintet-------------------------------
James Brandon Lewis - Tenor saxophone
Neil Kogan - Guitar
Ben Shepherd- Bass
Robert Holliday-Piano
John Shebalin-Drums & Percussion

---------------------------------Guest Artist----------------------------------------
Susan Allen- Harp
Tim Carr- Drums
Aaron Chavez- percussion
Nate Coyne-percussion
Morgan Fitch-Keys
Kevin Robinson -tenor saxophone
Brandon Sherman-trumpet

CD SINGLE NOW AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE

For more than two decades, CalArts students have written, performed and recorded mostly original jazz and world music compositions at the world-famous Capitol Studios in Hollywood. Friday marked the anticipated release of the 21st edition of the CalArts Jazz CD.

With the support of the studio and EMI Music, students and the CalArts jazz faculty–including Mel Powell Chair of the Jazz Studies Program David Roitstein, Paul Novros, Larry Koonse, Darek Oles and Joe LaBarbera–used the spring semester to select then hone the best songs for the annual compilation. It was Roitstein who established the CalArts Jazz CD project in 1990, and since then has produced all of the CDs.

No. 21 features 11 tracks, and all but two were composed by CalArts students. The compositions range from traditional jazz stylings to more world-influenced tunes, including James Brandon Lewis’s (Music MFA 10) “I Remember South Africa” and Timothy Carr’s (BFA Music 11) “What Flew for Awhile,” an “Icelandic jazz waltz” that features the lyrics and vocals of Kristín Póra Haraldsdóttir (Music MFA 11).

Bassist/composer John Lindberg and lyricist/hip hop artist Rahman Jamaal have come together with the drumming artistry of Tani Tabbal to form a collaboration that weds creative jazz with cutting-edge hip hop. These artists have created a unique musical vocabulary within a compelling multi-genre inclusive project that connects with listeners of all kinds. Saxophonist James Brandon lewis featured on New single"Capture the Swag-jazzHopRevolution (John Lindberg on Bass with “vocalyricist” Rahman Jamaal and drummer Tani Tabbal)

Inspiring and annointed cd a must have. Michael Williams is a talented musician and composer. I had the pleasure of working with him and i am featured on track 10. I highly recommend purchasing it. you will not be dissapointed

Wil is currently performing at the Oriental Theater and other venues to support the release of his latest CD entitled "Satisfy My Soul." Wil has assembled a rich assortment of talented musicians and artists to appear on the 15-song release. A refreshing mixture of Jazz, R&B/Neo-Soul, Rock and Poetry, the CD will include special guests Bijoux Barbosa (bass), Betsy Ruckard (vocals), Mark Harris (sax), Light (spoken word), Anthony Waker (guitar), Maritri Garrett (vocals, cello), James Brandon Lewis (sax) and many others. For this CD, Wil also worked with 5-time grammy nominated engineer Ryan West (Jay-Z, Beyonce, T.I. , Jon Secada, Rashann Patterson) from New York City. West mixed several songs for the project at his private studio in Manhattan and will be recording an instructional video with Digidesign this month featuring a Wil Key song entitled "I'll Be Around."

Beats, Rhymes and Good Times.