Orrin Evans released his debut album for quintet, "Justin Time," in 1996, at the age of 21. Over the next 25 years, Evans released over 20 albums in all shapes and sizes. From trio to standard ensembles to large bands and big bands, Evans' history included a ten-year stint as a member of the Mingus Big Band, leading to his formation of the Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band in 2009. Additionally, when pianist Ethan Iverson (who wrote the liner notes for the album) left The Bad Plus in 2018 after 17 years, Evans took over the piano chair for three years and two albums, before leaving to continue following his muse.
His release, The Red Door is a spiritual search for growth. Growing up in the Pentecostal church, Evans explains in the album liner notes, the color red came to signify the negative: think blood, sin, the temptation embodied in red light districts, all things infernal. "I've realized that along with red meaning 'warning' or 'stop,' it also represents so many beautiful things," he says. "Roses are red, and Valentine's hearts. We shouldn't see the negative history that comes along with the color. Instead, we need to allow ourselves the opportunity to walk inside and discover what is behind the red door."
The album's compositions document the trials and tribulations of daily life. It is about seeking and finding happiness and joy, only to be faced with doubt, fear and despair but eventually finding the way back to peace. Evans composed four of the songs here. There are six standards and pop tunes included along with two compositions from Geri Allen and Ralph Peterson. They all flow together to embrace the narrative.
The title track starts the album with a post-bop head which immediately turns to a simple, lovely melody. The track continues transitioning throughout, navigating daily life's positive and negative aspects. "Weezy" shows the Herbie Hancock influence on Evans' playing. Utilizing deep, dense chording along with a singular, angular attack, Evans allows Nicholas Payton on trumpet and Gary Thomas on flute to create their own path. Evans' solo here is masterful.
"Phoebe's Stroll" is performed by the trio of Evans with Robert Hurst on bass and Marvin "Smitty" Smith on drums. The song is both pensive and exciting. "The Good Life" is the first standard to appear. Taken at a leisurely pace, Larry McKenna shines on tenor saxophone and Hurst provides a strong walking bass line before delivering a beautiful solo. Evans' versatility of style is evident here, playing both on and off the melody.
The album contains three vocals. First up is "Big Small." Jazzmeia Horn sings this slow blues, which is at times discordant and then rollicking. "Amazing Grace" is sung by the amazing Sy Smith who shows off her five-octave range in a stunning, celebratory manner. The arrangement here is slow, thoughtful and in a minor key. Finally, the Stevie Wonder song, "They Won't Go When I Go" from Fulfillingness' First Finale is sung by Alita Moses, with only Evans' piano as support. Played at a slow tempo, it focuses both on the lyrics and allows Evans to show his sense of space in his accompaniment. It is both sorrowful and joyful.
The album closes with "I Have The Feeling I've Been Here Before" by Roger Kellaway. It is performed by the trio and is a beautiful ballad which signifies the underlying hope the album proclaims. Orrin Evans' release, The Red Door, invites us into the next chapter of his personal, musical and spiritual journey.
By Dave Linn
June 10, 2023
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-red-door-orrin-evans-smoke-sessions-records
///////
Orrin Evans lanzó su álbum debut para quinteto, "Justin Time", en 1996, a la edad de 21 años. Durante los siguientes 25 años, Evans lanzó más de 20 álbumes en todas las formas y tamaños. Desde tríos hasta conjuntos estándar, grandes bandas y big bands, la historia de Evans incluyó un período de diez años como miembro de Mingus Big Band, lo que lo llevó a formar la Captain Black Big Band, nominada al Grammy, en 2009. Además, cuando el pianista Ethan Iverson (quien escribió las notas del álbum) dejó The Bad Plus en 2018 después de 17 años, Evans se hizo cargo de la silla del piano durante tres años y dos álbumes, antes de irse para seguir a su musa.
Su lanzamiento, The Red Door es una búsqueda espiritual de crecimiento. Al crecer en la iglesia pentecostal, explica Evans en las notas del álbum, el color rojo llegó a significar lo negativo: piensa en la sangre, el pecado, la tentación encarnada en los distritos de luz roja, todas las cosas infernales. "Me di cuenta de que junto con el rojo que significa 'advertencia' o 'alto', también representa muchas cosas hermosas", dice. "Las rosas son rojas y los corazones de San Valentín. No deberíamos ver la historia negativa que acompaña al color. En cambio, debemos darnos la oportunidad de entrar y descubrir qué hay detrás de la puerta roja".
Las composiciones del álbum documentan las pruebas y tribulaciones de la vida diaria. Se trata de buscar y encontrar la felicidad y la alegría, solo para enfrentar la duda, el miedo y la desesperación, pero finalmente encontrar el camino de regreso a la paz. Evans compuso cuatro de las canciones aquí. Hay seis estándares y melodías pop incluidas junto con dos composiciones de Geri Allen y Ralph Peterson. Todos fluyen juntos para abrazar la narrativa.
La canción principal comienza el álbum con una cabeza post-bop que inmediatamente se convierte en una melodía simple y encantadora. La pista continúa en transición, navegando por los aspectos positivos y negativos de la vida diaria. "Weezy" muestra la influencia de Herbie Hancock en la interpretación de Evans. Utilizando acordes profundos y densos junto con un ataque singular y angular, Evans permite que Nicholas Payton en la trompeta y Gary Thomas en la flauta creen su propio camino. El solo de Evans aquí es magistral.
"Phoebe's Stroll" es interpretada por el trío de Evans con Robert Hurst en el bajo y Marvin "Smitty" Smith en la batería. La canción es a la vez pensativa y emocionante. "The Good Life" es el primer estándar en aparecer. Tomado a un ritmo pausado, Larry McKenna brilla en el saxofón tenor y Hurst proporciona una fuerte línea de bajo andante antes de entregar un hermoso solo. La versatilidad del estilo de Evans es evidente aquí, tocando dentro y fuera de la melodía.
El álbum contiene tres voces. El primero es "Big Small". Jazzmeia Horn canta este blues lento, a ratos discordante y luego jovial. "Amazing Grace" es cantada por la increíble Sy Smith, quien muestra su rango de cinco octavas de una manera deslumbrante y festiva. El arreglo aquí es lento, reflexivo y en clave menor. Finalmente, la canción de Stevie Wonder, "They Won't Go When I Go" de Fulfillingness' First Finale, es cantada por Alita Moses, con solo el piano de Evans como apoyo. Tocado a un ritmo lento, se enfoca tanto en la letra como en permitirle a Evans mostrar su sentido del espacio en su acompañamiento. Es a la vez triste y alegre.
El álbum se cierra con "Tengo la sensación de haber estado aquí antes" de Roger Kellaway. Es interpretada por el trío y es una hermosa balada que representa la esperanza subyacente que proclama el álbum. El lanzamiento de Orrin Evans, The Red Door, nos invita al próximo capítulo de su viaje personal, musical y espiritual.
por Dave Linn
10 de junio de 2023
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-red-door-orrin-evans-smoke-sessions-records
Tracks:
1 - Red Door 04:04
2 - Weezy 07:11
3 - Phoebe's Stroll 07:35
4 - The Good Life 09:15
5 - Big Small 04:36
6 - Dexter's Tune 03:58
7 - Amazing Grace 04:12
8 - Feed the Fire 05:15
9 - All the Things You Are 04:25
10 - Smoke Rings 02:43
11 - They Won't Go When I Go 05:22
12 - I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before 03:38
Credits:
Orrin Evans, piano
Nicholas Payton, trumpet (1, 2, 5, 10)
Gary Thomas, tenor saxophone (1, 5, 10) & flute (2)
Robert Hurst, bass (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12)
Marvin “Smitty” Smith, drums (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 12)
Wallace Roney, trumpet (9)
Larry McKenna, tenor saxophone (4)
Buster Williams, bass (4 & 9)
Gene Jackson, drums (4 & 9)
w/Jazzmeia Horn (5); Sy Smith (7) & Alita Moses (11)
Recorded on December 12, 2022 at Sear Sound Studio C, NYC
Engineered by Chris Allen
Assisted by Steven Sacco
“They Won’t Go When I Go”
Recorded on November 17, 2021 at Yamaha Artist Studios, NYC
Engineered by Aaron Cross
“The Good Life” and “All the Things You Are”
Recorded on March 11, 2020
at Morningstar Studios in Ambler, Pennsylvania
Engineered by Katsuhiko Naito
2023
This file is intended only for preview!
I ask you to delete the file from your hard drive or device after reading it.
thank for the original uploader
No comments:
Post a Comment