Pianist/composer Orrin Evans has parroted that line for
decades, but says he’s only recently come to realize what it truly means. On Knowing Is Half The Battle, his third release for Smoke Sessions Records, Evans
shares his own lessons in life and music on a raw, electrifying session that
teams him with a pair of renowned guitarists who are also, not coincidentally,
native sons of Evans’ own hometown of Philadelphia: Kevin Eubanks and Kurt
Rosenwinkel. He’s also joined by the latest in a long line of inspired rhythm
sections, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr., along with
up-and-coming saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis and a longtime collaborator,
vocalist M’Balia.
#knowingishalfthebattle shows Evans coming to terms with
what he’s learned over his years on and off the bandstand — and more
importantly, how to make use of that knowledge. In large part, the answer he’s
come to involves letting go, forgetting what’s been learned and trusting the
instincts that come along with it. By inviting such virtuosic musicians into
his world, he’s asking them to do the same and making new discoveries through a
collective act of forgetting.
“We’re taught that with knowledge comes power,” Evans says.
“Which is true, but we never really realize that with knowledge comes
responsibility. Then we have to figure out how to forget. When you let go of
everything that you’ve been taught, the possibilities of what can happen on the
bandstand are endless.”
That kind of edge-walking spontaneity is familiar to anyone
who’s ever seen Evans perform live, but it truly shines through on this
recording, which is invigorated by its thrilling sense of looseness and
in-the-moment invention. The “anything could happen” vibe draws visceral performances
from the full ensemble, but especially from the two six-string wizards that
join in for the session. Rosenwinkel is one of the most revered and influential
guitarists of his generation; Eubanks gained fame for his 15-year stint as the
bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but is also well respected for
his work with jazz greats from Art Blakey to Dave Holland to Steve Coleman.
The fact that the two are such different but equally
distinctive instrumentalists is an illustration of the title concept, Evans
says. “They’re two guitarists, but they’re two people who have taken the guitar
information and translated it in their own way. One uses a pick, one doesn’t;
one uses a volume pedal more than the other, one plays with more effects on
their sound, one is coming from Wes Montgomery and the other is coming from a
different point; but they’re both taking the information they were given and
doing something different with it.”
Especially exhilarating is the Caleb Wheeler Curtis
composition “Heavy Hangs the Head That Wears the Crown,” which features the two
guitar-slingers working together to conjure a moody, atmospheric and
mesmerizing soundscape. But they’re equally enthralling on their own, from
Rosenwinkel’s soaring quicksilver runs on “Chiara,” a piece by Chicago pianist
Curtis Clark that was introduced to Evans by saxophonist and sometime Tarbaby
collaborator Oliver Lake; to Eubanks’ warped, twisting eruptions on Carla
Bley’s “Calls.”
The latter evokes Evans’ upbringing in the Church of God in
Christ, which began every service with a call to worship. Though not intended
that way by the composer, Evans uses the piece for a similar purpose, his
spirited singing of the melody gradually gathering the musicians to express
themselves.
The church is one place where Evans garnered the knowledge
that he brings to bear in his music today. The album also pays homage to some
of the most influential people in his life, starting with his father,
playwright Donald Evans; one characteristically direct and pointed piece of
advice from the elder Evans gave “You Don’t Need a License To Drive” its title.
Eubanks’ blistering solo is followed by the pianist’s own trenchant turn and a
concise but eloquent statement by Curtis, before Evans and Eubanks reenter with
a disruptive outburst.
“Doc’s Holiday” is named for another father figure, an older
friend of Evans’ known informally as the “Mayor of Mt. Airy,” the pianist’s
Philly neighborhood. “I grew up with a protégé of my father’s who became like
an older brother to me,” Evans explains. “He passed away in 2007 and I met Doc
in 2006, so it was like the divine spirit took away one brother and gave me
another.” The two voices in its melody reflect its subject’s adaptability, a
notion that Evans aspires to and encourages in his own sons. “You should be
able to go to any part of Philadelphia or the world and feel at home, whether
you go to a function sponsored by the mayor or hang with the biggest thug in
West Philly. It’s about being an all-around guy.”
Evans draws material from a wide variety of sources: “When
Jen Came In,” which he originally recorded on his 1995 debut Déjà Vu, was
penned by a college classmate, while the bluesy “Slife” was written by bassist
and videographer Jason Fifield, who tirelessly documents the Philly jazz scene.
“Kooks” is a David Bowie classic, first performed by Evans’ Captain Black Big
Band on the night that the legendary rock icon passed away, while “That’s All”
is a Songbook standard; both feature the unique vocal stylings of M’Balia,
whose work with Evans dates back to his neo-soul group Luv Park.
“Zeni Bea” is named for the two month-old daughter of Luques
Curtis, who makes her recording debut on the track, crying as the assembled
artists chant her name. Parenthood is another theme of the album (and another
source of/drain on knowledge). It’s book-ended by a pair of tracks produced by
Evans’ youngest son, Matthew, who chops and manipulates a solo piano
improvisation to create an electronic portrait of his father and their
relationship that places the concept of passing down knowledge in a surprising
context.
So now you know — and… well, you know the rest.
“#knowingishalfthebattle” was recorded live in New York at
Sear Sound’s Studio C on a Sear-Avalon custom console at 96KHz/24bit and mixed
to ½” analog tape using a Studer mastering deck. Available in audiophile HD
format.
Orrin Evans #knowingishalfthebattle Release Performances
November 17 – 20 | Jazz Standard w/ special guest Kurt
Rosenwinkel | New York, NY
December 28 – 30 | Chris’ Jazz Cafe w/ special guest Kevin
Eubanks | Philadelphia, PA
Additional Orrin Evans Performances
Every Monday | Philly Meets New York @ Smoke Jazz &
Supper Club | New York, NY
August 4 – 7 | Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (w/ Ben Wolfe) | New
York, NY
August 6 | Litchfield Jazz Festival (w/ Darryl Johns &
Steve Johns) | Litchfield, CT
August 12 | Deerhead Inn (w/ Brian Lynch) | Delaware Water
Gap, PA
August 27 | Chris’ Jazz Cafe (w/ Joanna Pascale) |
Philadelphia, PA
August 31 | SOUTH (w/ Reggie Watkins) | Philadelphia, PA
September 2 | Chicago Jazz Festival (w/ TARBABY) | Chicago,
IL
September 29 – October 2nd | Jazz Standard (w/ Steve Wilson)
| New York, NY
October 15 & 16 | Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (w/ Matt Wilson
Group) | New York, NY
October 22 | Bucks County Performing Arts Center (w/ Captain
Black Big Band) | Yardley, PA
Orrin Evans · #knowingishalfthebattle
Smoke Sessions Records · Release Date: October 7, 2016
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