I Hold the Lion's Paw

I Hold the Lion's Paw is an experimental jazz ensemble from Melbourne, led by ARIA-nominated trumpeter Reuben Lewis. Formed in 2016, they are known for their inventive, genre-fluid approach that blends groove music, collective improvisation, and abstract compositional forms, creating music that feels unpredictable and boundary-pushing. Their latest album, *Potentially Interesting Jazz Music* (2025), exemplifies this spirit with nine tracks crafted from marathon improvisation sessions — a sound described as a "genre rebellion" that challenges traditional jazz definitions.

Reuben Lewis, a multidisciplinary trumpeter and composer, studied jazz performance and composition at ANU before relocating to Berlin and then Melbourne, where he established I Hold the Lion's Paw along with several other ensembles. The group’s sound fuses trumpet, bass grooves, synths, and spoken word, reflecting influences from Ornette Coleman’s harmolodics to Jon Hassell’s studio collages. Over nearly a decade, the band has evolved from live experimental performances to sophisticated studio creations, maintaining a deep trust among members to balance freedom and cohesion.

Genres

Free Jazz

Avant-garde

Jazz

Contemporary Jazz

Fusion Music

Post-bop

Experimental Jazz

World Jazz

Ambient Jazz

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Latest Release

Potentially Interesting Jazz Music

Reuben Lewis•

I Hold the Lion's Paw

Album - 9 Tracks - Released September 26, 2025