Wes Lewis is a PhD candidate in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at Yale and a recipient of the Mellon Foundation’s 2023-2024 Artist Corps grant. He is the principle saxophonist of the Yale Jazz Ensemble, and actively performs with several groups including his own quartet and the collective Trance Macabre. Wes grew up in Buffalo NY and attended the University of Rochester for his undergraduate studies. Since moving to New Haven in 2019, Wes has performed alongside the Mingus Big Band, as well as with Jessie (“Cheese”) Hameen II, Brian Q. Torff, Wali Ali, Ryan Sands, and Zwelakhe-Duma Bell Le Pere. He has studied with multiple Grammy award winning musicians, including Wayne Escoffery and Abraham Burton.

Derek Lewis is a jazz pianist based in Brooklyn, NY. Following his upbringing in Buffalo, he attended SUNY Fredonia and then The New School for his undergraduate degree in music, and has studied with several legendary figures including Buster Williams, Reggie Workman, and Joanne Brackeen. Derek has performed at an array of established venues, including Smalls Jazz Club, Zinc Bar, and the Bern International Jazz Festival. Derek can be found performing regularly in New York City and the greater NYC area, both as a sideman and with his own trio.