I Hold the Lion's Paw - Live @ COMA (2018)

Fela Kuti meets Miles Davis, meets Karlheinz Stockhausen. Melbourne psychedelic jazz collective I Hold the Lion's Paw sounds familiar and, at the same time, like nothing else you’ve ever heard. 

Nominated for ‘Best Australian Jazz Ensemble’ in the 2018 “Jazz BELL Awards”, I Hold the Lion’s Paw (IHTLP) is led by Reuben Lewis and features some of Australia’s most exciting musicians. The music is born out of an organic cross-over of afro-beat, jazz and outré electronics. Expect to hear as much as electro-acoustic noise, slowly evolving soundtracks, afro-beat inspired grooves and psychedelic free jazz. 

“Is this exactly where jazz needed to have ended up in the year 2018? It is an exhilarating spirit that moves this collective, taking the best from the past, and from the future and grafting them to the present.”

- John Hardaker, Words About Music 

“Danceable, infectious, and the inevitable deconstructions are subtle - ★★★★”

– Eric Myers, The Australian

Reuben Lewis

Reuben Lewis - compositions/trumpet/electronics

David Brown - electric bass

Ronny Ferella - drums

Fabian Hevia - percussion

Abstract Playgrounds 05:48 / 44:56

Recorded live by Marty Jones on 5th March, 2018

at the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Adelaide

Mixed by Jarrad Payne

Artwork by Loretta Wilde

I Hold the Lion's Paw: The Brunswick Green Bootlegs - Vol. 1 (2018)

The Brunswick Green Bootlegs - Vol. 1 is the second live release from the Australian psychedelic jazz collective I Hold the Lion's Paw. The album features three full-length improvised sets recorded in 2017 during IHTLP's continuing residency at the iconic Melbourne bar, The Brunswick Green. 

Each set features a different lineup of internationally acclaimed musicians who have assembled to dissect, abstract and (re)bind composed material into single-take long-form improvisations and electro-acoustic remixes. Expect to hear anything from harmonious free-floating melodies, electro-acoustic noise, slowly shifting tectonic plates of sound, grungy grooves, afro-beat and free jazz. 

IHTLP’s leader and composer Reuben Lewis says “I have always wanted to develop a band that could traverse any of the sound worlds I inhabit, and to go one further, bring these worlds together in a way that enables a constantly evolving dialogue through improvisation. I Hold the Lion's Paw is the conduit for this concept and 'Vol. 1' captures us at our most raw, fearless and groovy moments in our musical home, The Brunswick Green." 

I hold the Lion’s Paw 

Whenever I dance. 

I know the ecstasy of the falcon’s wings 

When they make love against the sky, 

And the sun and moon 

Sometimes argue over 

Who will tuck me in at night. 

If you think I am having more fun 

Than anyone on this planet 

You are absolutely correct.

- Hafez

1. #8 35:54

2. #9 40:26

3. #11 46:28

Reuben Lewis - trumpet + compositions

Jordan Murray - trombone

Scott McConnachie - saxophones

Geoff Hughes - guitar

Ronny Ferella - drums

Dave Brown - electric bass

Tom Lee - acoustic bass

Recorded by Reuben Lewis

Mastered by Myles Mumford

Artwork by Daniel Kim

A Melbourne based trumpeter, composer & improviser. Reuben's practice is both a singular & eclectic new voice in Australian music.