More Is More Records introduces “Pulsar,” the new single from Ars Ludicra, the third studio album by Peter Evans’ genre-defying ensemble Being & Becoming. Recorded in 2024 at the legendary Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey, the album captures the group at a moment of peak intensity—honed by relentless touring and a period of deep musical transformation.
On Ars Ludicra, Evans expands his already formidable palette, performing on multiple trumpets, piano, and electronics. He’s joined by Joel Ross on vibraphone and synth, Nick Jozwiak on bass and synth, and Michael Shekwoaga Ode on drums. Together, the quartet sounds fully locked in, navigating complex structures with clarity and confidence while embracing a sense of risk that keeps the music thrilling and unpredictable.
The recording follows an especially active period for the band. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Being & Becoming completed two European tours and a West Coast run, with standout appearances including sold-out shows at Zebulon in Los Angeles, Jazz em Agosto in Lisbon, the Winter Jazz Festival, and Public Records in New York City. That constant movement and live experimentation are etched into the DNA of Ars Ludicra, giving the album a charged, forward-leaning energy.
Sonically, the group has evolved dramatically since their previous release, Ars Memoria. While continuity remains, the new album opens the door to an even wider range of styles and textures. Detailed post-production work with engineer Mike Pride pushes the music into bold territory, moving seamlessly between explosive, stadium-level dynamics, elements of musique concrète, and richly layered, orchestral textures influenced by Brazilian music. The result is an album that feels expansive and immersive without sacrificing precision.
Each musician brings a strong, unmistakable voice to the project. Their individuality shines as they move through the sometimes labyrinthine compositions with strength, elegance, and a shared sense of purpose. What emerges is something radically different from the group’s earlier releases, yet unmistakably part of the same ongoing story.
Being & Becoming was formed in 2017 by trumpeter and composer Peter Evans and has since become his primary compositional outlet. The group synthesizes a vast range of influences alongside the remarkable stylistic diversity of its members. Following their self-titled debut in 2020 and the symphonic Ars Memoria in 2022—both released on Evans’ own More Is More Records—the band has continued to evolve through constant touring and new music creation.
That evolution didn’t stop with Ars Ludicra. In 2025, the group entered a new chapter with the addition of Pulitzer Prize–winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Dr. Tyshawn Sorey on drums. This lineup has already appeared at major festivals across the USA and Europe and is laying plans for more extensive touring in 2026 and beyond. With “Pulsar” leading the way, Ars Ludicra stands as a powerful document of a band in motion—restless, fearless, and reaching ever further outward.
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