Pianist Orrin Evans takes stock of the pivotal moments that
shape the trajectory of a life on The Evolution of Oneself, his scintillating
new release on Smoke Sessions Records. The album is itself a landmark in Evans'
musical evolution, introducing a remarkable new piano trio with two longtime
associates but first-time collaborators: bassist Christian McBride and drummer
Karriem Riggins. The result is a raw and thrilling excursion incorporating a
startlingly wide range of influences, from jazz and neo-soul to country and
hip-hop.
As suggested
by the title, The Evolution of Oneself explores deeply personal terrain, with
Evans reflecting on the road he's traveled to become the man and musician he is
today. "This album is about personal evolution," he explains.
"For me, there have been different moments or people in my life that have
made me evolve. You can call it change, but ultimately you're still the same
person from the day you came out of your mother's womb. But you evolve, and
that process is what this record is about."
Through 25
albums as a leader and co-leader, including his neo-soul/acid jazz ensemble Luv
Park and the bracing collective trio Tarbaby, Evans has always followed a
vigorously individual path. The Evolution of Oneself is no exception, with
Evans setting a pace that brings out fiery, gut-churning playing from both
McBride and Riggins - two of modern jazz's most renowned and distinctive voices
in their own rights.
McBride, of
course, shares Evans' Philadelphia origins, roots that both have taken great
pride in over the course of their careers. But despite only a three-year
difference in age, they've only worked together a handful of times, never on
record. Evans met Riggins more than two decades ago, prior to his move to New
York; Riggins later stayed with Evans and fellow Philly expat Duane Eubanks in
their New York City apartment upon his own move to the city. Still, it wasn't
until a recent tour under Riggins' leadership that the two shared any
significant stage time together. The Evolution of Oneself finally provided the
long-overdue opportunity for Evans to collaborate with both of them, forming a
powerhouse new trio in the process.
The album is
framed by three very different takes on the Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein
standard "All the Things You Are," a song which Evans says represents
the most important factor in his own personal evolution: his family. The
lyrics, he explains, captures the support and devotion that his wife, Dawn
Warren Evans, has provided through the ups and downs of a career in jazz. "My
evolution is based on the past twenty years with this woman who's had my back
and accepted all the things I am," he says.
The couple
recites those lyrics together over an electronica track produced by their
youngest son, Matthew Evans, on the penultimate version. (Older son Miles
doesn't appear, but provided the inspiration for two tracks, "For
Miles" and "Tsagli's Lean.") The album opens with an up-tempo
run through the tune that sets the spirited tone for what is to come, while it
closes with a languorous reimagining featuring McBride's dirge-like bowed bass
and the haunting, soulful moan of vocalist JD Walter. 17-year-old Matthew also
produced the hip hop-tinged "Genisis" interludes that pepper the
album, culled from his home recordings of his father and mixed by
bassist/producer Anthony Tidd, famed for his work with both The Roots and Steve
Coleman's Five Elements.
While The
Evolution of Oneself takes the concept more literally than usual, an Orrin
Evans recording session is always a family affair, with a party atmosphere and
guests stopping by whether they end up contributing or not. "Being in the
studio and doing what I do is no different than a cookout on a Saturday
night," Evans says, and that openness is reflected in the raucous verve of
this album.
The date's
other special guest is guitarist Marvin Sewell, responsible for its most
surprising moment: the country-blues slide guitar that introduces the
traditional Americana folk song "Wildwood Flower," made famous by the
Carter Family. His introduction to the song came via drummer Matt Wilson, and
Evans' rendition is dedicated to Wilson's late wife Felicia. While one might
not expect to hear a country music influence coming from Evans, the beauty of
the song is undeniable -- and he naturally turns the down-home feel inside out
and makes it wholly his own.
Beyond
McBride's involvement, Philly is well represented on the album. The sultry
R&B groove of Grover Washington Jr.'s "A Secret Place" offers the
chance for both to pay homage to the late saxophonist, who resided in Mt. Airy,
the same Philadelphia neighborhood that Evans has long called home. "One
of my only musical regrets is not recording with Grover Washington Jr.,"
Evans admits. "He was really cool and he lived right around the corner,
but at that time in my life I didn't understand how accessible he was. I don't
think people know how bad he was as a saxophonist, as a musician, and as an
artist."
Evans
credits Philadelphia trumpeter Jafar Barron as one of the key players in the
development of the neo-soul movement, and tips with hat with Barron's
composition "Jewels and Baby Yaz." Bassist Jon Michel's swinging
"Sweet Sid" was written in memory of pianist Sid Simmons, a mentor to
Evans and countless young Philly jazz musicians.
The album is
rounded out by a loose-limbed, sharp-angled take on "Autumn Leaves,"
the airy ballad "February 13th" by bassist and fellow Tarbaby member
Eric Revis, and a half-dozen Evans originals representing the impressive reach
of his stylistic imagination. With this album Evans marks a profound
breakthrough in his personal evolution, one that has progressed beyond
categories and into the realm of unfettered expression.
"The
Evolution of Oneself" 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.
Upcoming
Release Performances for The Evolution of Oneself:
September 10
- 13 / Smoke Jazz & Supper Club / New York, NY
feat. Luques
Curtis and Clarence Penn w/ special guests Steve Wilson (9/10),
JD Walter
(9/11), Paul Bollenback (9/12), and Antonio Hart (9/13)
September 17
/ New Brunswick Jazz Society / New Brunswick, NJ
feat. Luques
Curtis and Mark Whitfield Jr.
September 18
- 19 / Chris' Jazz Cafe / Philadelphia, PA
feat. Luques
Curtis and Mark Whitfield Jr. w/ special guest Sean Jones
Orrin Evans
· The Evolution of Oneself
Smoke
Sessions Records · Release Date: September 11, 2015
