James Brandon Lewis details new Antonín Dvořák-inspired album, Calling Antonín

Calling Antonín follows Lewis' win for Tenor Saxophonist of the Year in the DownBeat Critics Poll and a Guggenheim Fellowship for Music Composition, with Lewis focusing on Dvořák's American period from 1892 to 1895. The album features original Lewis songs that are either variations of or inspired by Dvořák pieces from his American period. Lead single "Dilemma of Hearts" was inspired by Dvořák's relationship to his wife's sister, transforming the theme from the last movement of Dvořák's "New World" Symphony with layers of free improvisation.

Red Lily – consisting of Kirk Knuffke on cornet, Melanie Dyer on violin, Tomeka Reid on cello, Joshua Abrams on bass, and Chad Taylor on drums – debuted in 2021 with Jesup Wagon, followed by 2023's For Mahalia, With Love. The idea for Calling Antonín first originated a decade ago when bassist William Parker called Lewis about a Dvořák-themed project for the Czechoslovak-American Marionette Theater Company. Lewis went on to become the musical director and began delving into Dvořák's story.

Lewis learned that Dvořák had befriended African-American composer Harry Burleigh, who attended the National Conservatory of Music of America and became Dvořák's assistant. Burleigh introduced him to spirituals including "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," which influenced Dvořák's New World Symphony.

"It's a beautiful premise on this lineage of building the American sound," Lewis says. "Dvořák makes a bold assertion in the late 1800s: he's telling America where their source material is from."

Calling Antonín artwork

Calling Antonín tracklist

"Spirit of the Living God"
"Lento"
"Dilemma of Hearts"
"Calling Antonín"
"Going Home"
"Ode to P.L.D."
"I Want Jesus to Walk With Me"
"Finale - Humoresque"
"O' Rebicku"