Credits:

Orrin Evans

Description:

Nicholas Payton, Wallace Rooney, Buster Williams, and Jazzmeia Horn! Orin Evans' first studio album since leaving The Bad PlusA friendly piece with melodies reminiscent of Thelonious MonkJazz pianist Orin Evans leads a quartet for his first new album in almost two years. Orin Evans was born in Trenton, New Jersey, USA in 1975 and grew up in Philadelphia. From an early age, he grew up listening to classical music, Count Basie, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. At Rutgers University, he studied jazz piano with Kenny Barron and won second prize in the Thelonious Monk Competition. He gained recognition as a sideman for Bobby Watson and Ralph Peterson, and later joined the Mingus Big Band and toured with Wallace Rooney and Stephon Harris. The Red Door" is the first studio album Evans has recorded and released under his own name since leaving the jazz quartet "The Bad Plus.It is a return to communal and even family values, especially Evans' theme of "musical heroes. The set list was unusually varied, with an all-star quintet led by Nicholas Payton and an impressive lineup of guest singers and soloists. Among these, Evans' piano playing is tasteful, exploratory, serious, playful, and wonderful. The title track is an Evans original. It is a stark contrast when compared to the sound style of The Bad Plus era, and is one prism through which to view his reincarnation as a pianist. It is a supreme number, reminiscent of Thelonious Monk, with a sharp sting and a familiar, sing-songy melody, all wrapped up in a distinctive mood.

Tracklisting:

1.The Red Door
2.Weezy
3.Phoebe's Stroll
4.The Good Life
5.Big Small
6.Dexter's Tune
7.Amazing Grace
8.Feed the Fire
9.All The Things You Are
10.Smoke Rings
11.They Won't Go When I Go
12.I Have the Feeling I've Been Here Before