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Jazz Articles about Orrin Evans
Jim Snidero: Live at the Deer Head Inn
by Jack Bowers
Any short list of the finest alto saxophonists playing today must include the name Jim Snidero who has been a force to reckon with on the New York City jazz scene for almost four decades. Snidero earns high marks on his latest album not only for his typically sharp and fluent improvisations but also for his resourcefulness in assembling a quartet to perform Live at the Deer Head Inn in Delaware Gap, PA, during a devastating coronavirus pandemic. The recording ...
Continue ReadingCharlie Porter: Hindsight
by Hrayr Attarian
Trumpeter Charlie Porter has proved himself to be an inventive composer whose works are simultaneously thought-provoking and mellifluous. His third and perhaps most immediately relevant release, Hindsight, draws inspiration from the events that came to public attention in 2020. Musically, the nine originals are fluid yet complex and are peppered with sounds from other genres such as gospel, African folk and hip hop. The result is a seamless and delightfully unique fusion which delivers its message with intelligence and panache. ...
Continue ReadingCaleb Wheeler Curtis: Ain't No Storm
by Paul Rauch
Caleb Wheeler Curtis is a noted voice in the modern world of alto saxophone, in large part due to his association with fellow artists. Most significantly, his work with Philadelphia-based pianist Orrin Evans and the “village" of creative participants within has put a spotlight on his style which attaches itself to tradition while exhibiting a willingness to explore new territory. On his most recent release Ain't No Storm, he presents eleven original compositions that feature fellow Evans bandmates Mark Whitfield ...
Continue ReadingCharlie Porter: Hindsight
by Paul Rauch
Portland based trumpeter/composer Charlie Porter is back, and following the trend industry wide over the past year, has released a finely crafted collection of pieces attached to a social narrative. Hindsight examines how we act in hindsight dealing with the long term societal struggles of racism, corruption and inequality. While two of the pieces feature the lyrics of Majid Khaliq and Madelaina Piazza, Porter has namaged to weave the emotional uncertainty of daily life during the Covid-19 pandemic into bittersweet ...
Continue ReadingOrrin Evans, Ira Sullivan, Joe Turner and More
by Joe Dimino
This week we start with the latest album by Philadelphia-based pianist Orrin Evans and his Captain Black Big Band. Then we profile a new Kansas City group, The Freedom Affair, as they hit the airwaves with strength and style. We also look at new music from Mary Stallings and Fumi Tomita, say good-bye to the mighty Ira Sullivan and thank you to Kansas City jazz vocalist Molly Hammer. Enjoy yet another hour of fine jazz. Playlist Orrin Evans ...
Continue ReadingThe Bad Plus: Activate Infinity
by Emmanuel Di Tommaso
Quando alla fine del 2017 Ethan Iverson lasciò i Bad Plus si parlò di fine di un'era per uno dei piano jazz trio più originali e longevi della musica contemporanea. Sempre aperti a nuove sperimentazioni e a sconfinamenti che li hanno portati a contaminare il loro post-bop jazz di partenza già di per sé istrionico con la freschezza e il melodismo della pop music e del rock strumentale, con l'abbandono di Iverson sembrava veramente che qualcosa potesse minare la coesione ...
Continue ReadingOrrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band: The Intangible Between
by Paul Rauch
Pianist Orrin Evans has a deep understanding of the unshakeable bond between fellowship, humanity and the creative process. That knowledge has guided him through creating a remarkable catalog of music as both a leader and sideman, along the way, experiencing the fellowship of a collective of musicians he often refers to as “The Village." The Village is indeed real, and most aptly expressed musically through the The Captain Black Big Band, Evans' ensemble of anywhere between nine and ...
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