James Brandon Lewis live in North Adams

Experience James Brandon Lewis live on June 26th

James Brandon Lewis will perform at Mass MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts on June 26, 2026. Lewis is a contemporary jazz saxophonist and composer known for a sound deeply rooted in the traditions of Albert Ayler and John Coltrane, yet distinctly his own. His work often incorporates elements of free improvisation, spiritual jazz, and blues, frequently addressing themes of Black American history and experience. He typically leads a quartet or larger ensembles featuring dynamic interplay and extended improvisations. Lewis has received critical acclaim for albums like “Molecular,” “For Those of You Who Have Never (And Also Those Who Have),” and “Jesús Rafael Soto.”

Mass MoCA (Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art) is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art in the United States. Located in a former factory complex – the sprawling grounds once housed the Arnold Print Works paper mill – it opened as a museum in 1999. The museum’s architecture intentionally retains aspects of its industrial past, with large open spaces repurposed for exhibiting large-scale installations and performance art. Beyond visual arts, Mass MoCA regularly hosts performances across various disciplines including music, dance, and theater, leveraging its unique spatial qualities and acoustics.