Falkner Evans: Arc

Falkner Evans is an accomplished composer, and the number of ASCAP award-winning compositions present on Arc attests to that and more. Comprised of nine tunes, ranging from original material to jazz and pop standards, this statement from Evans' trio with bassist Belden Bullock and drummer Matt Wilson is sure to leave listeners with a pleasant aftertaste and a desire to come back for more.

Evans' career has spanned a variety of musical genres and that has naturally snuck into his composing. The opening track, "Regatta, is a perfect example with its sly rock undertone; despite this stylistic underlining, however, it never loses its jazz trio feel. The group here works rather nicely, weaving in and out of Evans' stylistic solo and feeding off each other like seasoned friends.

Present on the album are some nicely selected jazz standards that add legitimacy to the group's repertoire. Wayne Shorter's "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum is a particularly fine example, with Bullock's solo being of special interest; Bullock is the newest member to the trio and his progressive solo shows how well he has fit in with the other two veterans.

The album ends, quite appropriately, with a favorite Evans closer, "Lost in the Stars. The melody is beautifully embellished through an unaccompanied piano section and some rather nice chord selections. Here is a seasoned pianist who is well worth the time for a listen time and again.