MJC Presents: I Hold The Lion's Paw

Jon Hassell meets Ornette Coleman, meets Sun Ra. I Hold the Lion's Paw sounds familiar and, at the same time, like nothing else you’ve ever heard. It is the brainchild of trumpeter-composer-electronic artist Reuben Lewis, who navigates his team of longstanding collaborators into an immersive world of electro-acoustic ambience, slowly evolving soundtracks, grungy afro-beat grooves and psychedelic free jazz. This is music as assemblage, using the stage as a laboratory whilst practicing post-production sorcery in real-time.

His 2018 studio album with Lion’s Paw, ‘Abstract Playgrounds’, gained international acclaim, including a glowing review in ‘The Wire’ magazine. Reuben Lewis (composition, trumpet, pedals, synths) collaborates with Emily Bennett (voice, synths, electronics), Adam Halliwell (bass) and Ronny Ferella (drums).

“A beguiling stew of afro-beat, jazz-rock-inflected postbop, and electro-acoustic noise” - Andy Hamilton, The Wire, UK