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Orrin Evans: The Red Door
ByWhatever musical setting Evans chooses to practice his sinewy, r'n'b inflected post-bop insideman, big band, trio, quartet, duo, whatevera sweet animation propels his music and buoys the players gathered around him. In this case the two core units feature bass legend Buster Williams, drummer Gene Jackson, the late Wallace Roney on trumpet and fellow Philadelphian, tenor legend Larry McKenna. The other quintet features trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonist/flutist Gary Thomas, bassist Robert Hurst and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith.
Just as it was a standout track on his second recording with the The Bad Plus, 2019's canny and expressive Activate Infinity (Edition Records), the lead-off title track carousels into consciousness with a brassy, staccato effervescence and witticism courtesy of Payton and Thomas, that Hurst, Evans and Smith quickly wrest control from, deconstruct, then return sprightly to the dance. As Immanuel Wilkins' saxophone did throughout Evan's previous highlight reel, 2021's The Magic of Now (Smoke Sessions Records) Thomas' flute becomes the voice of the circuitous and bluesy "Weezy."
But it may well be "Phoebe's Stroll" that we remember The Red Door for in the years ahead. A jaunty, trio workout of everything that makes Evans tickhis quotable, neo-pop melodicism, his patient way with time, his keen, articulate framing and sense of communal danceall in one seven plus minute slice of perfection. It's a grand gesture and sure to be a setlist perennial.
Geri Allen's antic "Feed the Fire" gets the full-on quintet treatment as Thomas and Payton play cat and mouse around Smith and Hurst's elusive current and Evans' pronounced freneticism. Ditto "Smoke Rings." With Buster Williams providing the smooth, second set of the night groove, McKenna, uncurls an entrancing, deep blue solo that defines "The Good Life." Ever a shaman of the collective, Evans brings onboard Jazzmeia Horn who, as has become custom, delivers a slyly impassioned reading of Bill McHenry's feminine forward lyric for Evans' "Big Small," which originally appeared sans lyrics on Flip the Script (Posi-Tone Records, 2012)
A substantive tribute to those whom Evans claims has gotten him to the pinnacle he inhabits right now and to those who will help him carry it forward, (including Sy Smith and Alita Moses, The Red Door is a masterful high point in a career that continues to climb.
Track Listing
Red Door; Weezy; Phoebe's Stroll; The Good Life; Big Small; Dexter's Tune; Amazing Grace; Feed The Fire; All The Things You Are; Smoke Rings; They Won't Go When I Go; I Have The Feeling I've Been Here Before.
Personnel
Orrin Evans
pianoRobert Hurst
bassMarvin "Smitty" Smith
drumsGary Thomas
saxophoneNicholas Payton
trumpetAdditional Instrumentation
Nicholas Payton: trumpet (1, 2, 5, 10); Gary Thomas: tenor sax (1, 5, 10) flute (2); Robert Hurst: bass (1-3, 5-8, 10, 12); Marvin “Smitty” Smith: drums (1-3, 5-8, 10, 12); Wallace Roney: trumpet (9); Larry McKenna: tenor sax (4); Buster Williams: bass (4, 9); Jazzmela Horn: vocal (5); Sy Smith: vocal (7); Alita Moses: vocal (11).
Album information
Title: The Red Door | Year Released: 2023 | Record Label: Smoke Sessions Records
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