Calling Antonin

James Brandon Lewis returns with his third Red Lily Quintet offering, following Jesup Wagon (2021) and For Mahalia, With Love (2023).

Calling Antonin is a homage to and celebration of historical figures who have been major inspirations in JBL's life. Here, the subject is Antonin Dvorak, the Czech composer (1841-1904) who drew inspiration from the folk songs of his own country, and later from the United States, where he lived and worked for three years from 1892.

The music Dvorak created in this period is the focus of Calling Antonin. The album consists of original JBL songs that are either variations on Dvorak pieces, inspired by them, or have other personal significance.