Press Quotes

Often predisposed on prior recordings to navigate the high-wire in satis- fying ways, Evans here plays throughout with old soul concision and deep focus worthy of his dedicatees. - Ted Panken

Every series of notes and chords seems well placed by Evans and expertly orchestrated by the band as a collective. Evans and company do a fantastic job of providing the musical traction that allows the entire band complete deference to the compositions and each other. - Karas Lamb Revivalist

He’s his own man, finding new things to say in a very mainstream/classicist context. And yes, he manages to hold the listener’s attention all the way through, with Larry McKenna’s two appearances on saxophone serving as a bonus, not a respite from tedium. So yeah, this album is highly recommended. - Phil Freeman Burning Ambulance

While Evans still injects his own personality into these pieces, his mission here is to honor others. Swing is a central element on a large number of the tracks, but it isn't all that Evans has to offer. Dewy balladry built with glacial grace (Evans' "Dita"), a rhythmically engaging workout on Shirley Scott's "Oasis," and an album-closing, solo piano take on ’s "Just Enough" all exhibit different sides of the inde- fatigable Orrin Evans. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=7381 - DAN BILAWSKY http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/contrib.php?id=74649 All About

Downbeat - 3 1/2 Stars "Evans has a penetrating and down to business style" - Michael Jackson Downbeat

The direction is refreshing and telling of the maturity of Evans, who seems more concerned with artistic expression than technical posturing. With a style steeped in tradition, yet pushing forward ever-so-gently, Evans is able to show restraint while building layers of intensity, especially on the ballad "Dita"—Evans' only compositional contribution to the date—and an imaginative solo piano rendering of Herbie Hancock's "Just Enough," which serves as a fitting wrap-up. - John Barron The Jazz Word

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS

Genre: JAZZ

Release Date: May 31, 2011

Catalog: PR8083

For immediate release: Orrin Evans - “Freedom”

Orrin’s voice of hometown friends & mentors. tracks 1. .... One For Honor (C. Fambrough) ...... 4:17 http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/musician.php?id=7381 Orrin Evans breaks loose with authority on "Freedom," his new 2. .... Gray’s Ferry (D. Burno) ...... 4:58 http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/contrib.php?id=74649 date for Posi-Tone. The sky is the limit when Evans takes his piano 3. .... Shades Of Green (E. Green)...... 6:11 trio on an interpretive exploration of the music of his friends and 4. .... Dita (O. Evans) ...... 5:46 mentors. !This trio date features a hometown crew of sideman in- 5. .... Time After Time (J. Styne) ...... 5:43 cluding the solid playing of bassist ,!the precise 6. .... Hodge Podge (C. Beck) ...... 4:37 metrics of drummer Byron Landham, and the tenor saxophone 7. .... Oasis (S. Scott) ...... 6:22 stylings of special guest Larry McKenna. 8 ..... As Is (D. Eubanks) ...... 3:34 9 ..... Just Enough (H. Hancock) ...... 5:57 "Freedom" is a direct reflection of Orrin's feelings and deep re- gard for the music of his past and the guidance of his dear friends and mentors that he is carrying into his present and future. Orrin Orrin Evans - piano continues to make a bold and original statements while ultimately Larry McKenna - tenor saxophone on 2 & 5 remaining true to himself. Whether one is already familiar with Dwayne Burno - bass the music of Orrin Evans or discovering him for the first time, this Byron Landham - drums/percussion on 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 & 8 session is sure to bring a smile to serious listeners everywhere. Anwar Marshall - drums on 1, 6 & 7

Posi-Tone Records

P.O. Box 2848 Look to Posi-Tone Records for the finest in new JAZZ! Los Angeles, CA 90294 310-871-2652 - Check out the latest releases from Travis Sullivan, Jared Gold, Dave Juarez, [email protected] David Gibson, and Art Hirahara at www.posi-tone.com www.posi-tone.com

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Biography

Orrin Evans is a PennPAT (Pennsylvania Per- forming Artists on Tour) roster artist. Non-profit and government organizations in the mid-Atlantic region may qualify for funding for performances and residencies. Including: DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV, NC or U.S. Virgin Islands

Pianist, composer, bandleader, teacher: ORRIN EVANS is a musical renaissance man.

Since moving to New York in the winter of 1995 Orrin Evans has been recognized as one of the most distinctive and inventive pianist of his generation. In a short span of time Orrin has earned the titles of pianist, composer, bandleader, teacher, producer and arranger and most recently, a recipi- ent of a 2010 Pew Fellowship in the Arts.

Growing up in a musical city like was extremely important to early development of Orrin’s career. Philadelphia afforded Orrin the opportunity to study informally with the likes of Trudy Pitts, Shirley Scott, , Bobby Durham, Edgar Bateman, Sid Simmons, and formally with William Whitaker, Jack Carr, and Charles Pettaway. In 1993, after attending Girard Academic Music Program, Orrin was accepted into the Mason Gross School of The Arts at Rutgers Univer- sity. While attending Mason Gross some of his teachers included , Joanne Brackeen, , and Ted Dunbar. They instilled in him the importance of the fundamentals of jazz as well as the necessity of listening to and living the music.

After moving to New York in August of 1996 Orrin was invited to join ’s band “Hori- zon” on their European tour. This opportunity introduced Orrin to the New York jazz scene. His recording and performing resume includes , Mos Def, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Antonio Hart, Carmen Lundy, Ralph Peterson, Ralph Bowen, The Mingus Big Band, , Nicolas Payton, Brandford Marsalis, , Eddie Henderson, , Tim Warfield, , , , and .

Orrin’s recording career started in 1994 with a self-produced trio release called “The Trio” featuring Matthew Parrish on bass and Byron Landham on drums. The release can now be found on the Imani Record label under the title “Déjà Vu”. In 1996 he was introduced to Gerry Teekins from Criss Cross records. This relationship afforded Orrin the opportunity to release six critically acclaimed recordings for the Criss Cross label. During a hiatus from Criss Cross Orrin released a recording for the Palmetto record label “Meant To Shine” and various recordings on his own label Imani Records.

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Biography

In 2002 Orrin combined forces with drummer Donald Edwards, vocalist JD Walter, saxophonist Ralph Bowen, and his wife vocalist Dawn Warren to form the band Luvpark. The band recorded the critically acclaimed self titled album “Luvpark” and is presently working on the release of their sophomore recording. In 2008 Orrin released the debut recording, from “Tarbaby”, a co-lead band with drummer and bassist on his Imani Records Label. Orrin then signed with PosiTone Records and released, his highly acclaimed cd, “Faith In Action”. His composition, “Don’t Call Me Wally” has been nominated for a Grammy for “Best Improvised Jazz Solo” and the brand new sophomore project from Tarbaby “The End of Fear” (PosiTone Records) is already gen- erating a buzz. The New York Times wrote, “You feel they’re in a continuous tradition… They could go down this road for a long time, balancing repertory and originals by all three core members, and balancing 50 years of approaches to the small band in jazz.”

Evans spent 3 years as a teacher at the coveted Germantown Friends School where he taught middle school music and conducted three jazz ensembles. He returned to Settlement Music School to teach individual piano lessons, theory lessons and an advanced jazz ensemble. He con- tinues to be a musical commentator, conducting workshops, clinics and master classes both in the United States and abroad, while continuing to record and tour with his own bands.

Lately Orrin’s greatest joy has been producing projects for other artists like Sean Jones and play- ing with his own band, which at different times, has included such notables as Ralph Peterson, Jr., , Ralph Bowen, Nasheet Waits, , Eric Revis, JD Allen and Duane Eubanks.

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Performance

MUSICIANS PERFORMED WITH

Kenny Barron, Andy Bey, Bilal, Ralph Bowen, Randy Brecker, Abraham Burton, , Will Calhoun, Ravi Coltrane, , Common, Elvis Costello, Dave Douglas, Bobby Durham, Robin Eubanks, , Russell Gunn, Craig Handy, Roy Hargrove, , Antonio Hart, Miles Jaye, Denise King, Frank Lacy, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Sam Newsome, , Ralph Peterson

FESTIVALS

Festhalle Viersen (Germany) Playboy Jazz Festival (CA) Guiamareas Jazz Festival (Portugal) San Francisco Jazz Festival (CA) Pulsano Festival (Italy) Erie Blues & Jazz Festival (PA) Seixal Jazz Festival (Portugal) COTA Jazz Festival (PA) Verona Jazz Festival (Italy) Tri-C Jazz Fest (OH) St. Lucia Jazz Festival ( St. Lucia) Mellon Jazz Festival (PA) Oporto Jazz Festival (Portugal) Clifford Brown Jazz Festival (DE) Copenhagen Jazz Festival (Denmark) Freihofer Jazz Festival (NY) Wales Jazz Festival (England) Chicken Bone Beach Festival (NJ) Jazz Fest of Sevilla (Spain) Kansas City Blues & Jazz (MO) Cork Jazz Festival (Ireland) JVC Jazz Festival (NY) North Sea Jazz Festival () New Orleans Jazz & Heritage (LA) Estoril Jazz Festival (Portugal) Detroit Jazz Festival (MI) Vienna Jazz Festival (Austria) Mt. Hood Jazz Festival (CO) San Sebastian Jazz Festival (Spain) Telluride Jazz (CO) Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada) Jazz at Ravinia (IL) Ocho Rios Jazz Festival (Jamaica) Cape May Jazz Festival (NJ)

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] CliftonORRI NAnderson EVANS Discography

Recordings as a Leader Recordings as a Sideman

Freedom (2011) PosiTone Records Stacy Dillard “Good & Bad Memories” (2010) Criss Cross Faith In Action (2010) PosiTone Records Kate Schutt “Telephone Game” (2008) ArtistShare Tarbaby End of Fear (2010) PosiTone Records Sean Jones “The Search Within” (2008) Mack Avenue Orrin Evans & Friends Candlelite Live (2010) Russell Gunn “Love Stories” (2008) High Note Records Tarbaby Tarbaby (2009) Imani Records Elizabeth Kontamanou “Back to My Groove” (2007) Nocturne Records Orrin Evans Trio Live-Mississippi (2006) Imani Records Sean Jones “Kaleidoscope” (2007) Mack Avenue Records Orrin Evans Easy Now (2005) Criss Cross Russell Gunn “Playing Miles” (2007) High Note Records LUVPARK LUVPARK (2004) Imani Records Sean Jones “Roots” (2006) Mack Avenue Records The Band Live @ Widener University (2004) Imani Donnie McCaslin “Soar” (2005) Sunnyside Records Orrin Evans Meant to Shine (2002) Mingus Big Band “I Am Three” (2005) Sunnyside Records Orrin Evans Blessed Ones (2001) Will Calhoun “Native Lands” (2005) Half Note Records Orrin Evans Dejavu (2001) Imani Records Sean Jones “Gemini” (2005) Mack Avenue Records SEED SEED (2000) Imani Records Ralph Bowen “Keep the Change” (2004) Criss Cross Records Orrin Evans Listen to the Band (1999) Criss Cross Jazz Eric Revis “Tales of a Stuttering Mime” (2004) 11:11 Records Orrin Evans Grown Folks Bizness (1998) Criss Cross Sean Jones “Eternal Journey” (2004) Mack Avenue Records Orrin Evans Captain Black (1997) Criss Cross Jazz Ralph Peterson, Jr. “Tests of Time” (2003) Criss Cross Records Orrin Evans Justin Time (1996) Criss Cross Jazz Ralph Peterson, Jr. “Subliminal Seduction” (2002) Criss Cross Orrin Evans The Trio (1994) Black Entertainment Tomonao Hara “TonyCally” (2002) Zoo T Records JD Allen “Pharoah’s Children” (2002) Criss Cross Jazz Russell Gunn (2001) High Note Records Ralph Peterson, Jr. “Art of War” (2001) Criss Cross Records Bobby Watson “Live & Learn (2001) Palmetto Records Tomonao Hara “Pinocchio “ (2001) Zoo T Records Common “Like Water for Chocolate” (1999) Universal Records Will Calhoun “Live at the Blue Note” (1999) Half Note Records Alison Crockett “That’s Where You Go” (1999) Duane Eubanks “My Shining Hour” (1999) TCB Records Lenora Zenzalai Helm “Spirit Child” (1999) J-Curve Records Danny Walsh “Satellite” (1999) Ratamacue Records Landham Brothers (1998) Straight Street Records Bobby Watson “Quiet As It’s Kept” (1998) Red Records Denise King (1998) Redd King Records Denise King Quartet (1994) Eclectic Rich Adderly and Music Report (1993) RPM Records

WWW.IMANI-RECORDS.COM

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Educator

WORKSHOPS/MASTER CLASSES AWARDS AND GRANTS

Jazz Masterclass 2010 Grammy Nominations “Best Jazz Solo” & “Best Jazz Settlement Music School, Philadelphia, PA Recording” “Faith in Action” PosiTone Records 2010 Recipient Pew Fellowship in the Arts Jazz Masterclass 2006 PennPAT grant funded by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Pew Brooklyn Conservatory, Queens, NY Charitable Trust, Vira I. Heinz Endowment, William Penn Foundation, PA Council on the Arts Teen Jazz Workshop Sessions 2005 PennPat grant funded by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Pew Sedgwick Cultural Ctr., Philadelphia PA Charitable Trust, Vira I. Heinz Endowment, William Penn Foundation, PA Council on the Arts Jazz Performance Workshop 2003 American Composers Forum grant Gettysburg High School, Gettysburg, PA 2003 Scribe Video Community Visions grant 2003 PennPAT grant – funded by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Pew Jazz Performance Workshop Charitable Trust, Vira I. Heinz Endowment, William Penn Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, PA Foundation, PA Council on the Arts 2002 SESAC National Performance Activity Award Jazz Theory Master Class “Meant to Shine” Palmetto Records Haverford College, PA 2002 Philadelphia Inquirer Top 10 Jazz CD “Meant to Shine” Jazz Performance Worskhop 2001 Meet the Composer grant Millbrook School, Millbrook NY 2001 PennPAT grant – funded by Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, Pew Charitable Trust, Vira I. Heinz Endowment, William Penn Jazz Performance Workshop Foundation, PA Council on the Arts A Place for Jazz, Schenectady NY 2000 Philadelphia City Paper “Best Jazz Success Story” Jazz Theory Master Class 1999 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition College of , NJ 1993 Grammy All American High School MVP 1992 Best High School Jazz Musician of Philadelphia Jazz Performance Workshop 1992 National Arts Recognition Scholarship Millsap College, Jackson, MS 1992 Bob Perkins Scholarship Award

Jazz Performance Workshop St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX

Jazz Performance Workshop EDUCATION , Boston, MA Community College of Pennsylvania Mason Gross College of the Arts Jazz Theory Workshop Emory and Henry College, VA PRIVATE STUDY Jazz Theory Workshop Kenny Baron (Jazz Piano) Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Charles Pettaway (Classical Piano) Ralph Bowen (Improvisation) Jazz Theory Workshop Cheney University, Cheney, PA

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Residencies

Mr. Evans has spent years teaching middle school music curriculum, conducting large and small student jazz ensembles and teaching master classes and workshops to college students all over the world.

Performances/residencies include one of Orrin’s all-star bands.

In addition to the following programs, individual residency activities can also be crafted to meet your special needs.

Jazz Mini A mini-recital is a short concert, about 30 minutes long. The space for a minirecital must be intimate while providing an appropriate concert atmosphere. Mini-recitals can be presented to classes at a college, library, or high school music program. The recital can be followed by a Q&A session. Prefer 50 or less students.

Young Jazz This program is designed for K-8. Mr. Evans will introduce the children to one of our greatest cultural traditions, Jazz. Through an exciting interactive program the students will explore questions like ‘what is jazz?’ “where did the music originate?’ ‘how do musicians create this rich music?’ ‘who are the men and women responsible for this legacy?’ Preparation materials are available for this program. 30 student maximum OR no more than two classes at a time.

Jazz Prep The artist can meet with school jazz ensembles to read through ensemble charts, applying jazz improvisation techniques. Small group ensembles, large ensembles, big bands.

Jazz Master Student musicians perform works for the artist and receive advice on improvisation, repertoire, and technique. Students selected to perform in master classes should be prepared to benefit from the experience. Master classes can be held before a class or large audience, not to exceed 2 hours in length.

Jam Session Mr. Evans can be available for an informal jam session with students or adults. Helpful tips for participating in jam sessions, and how to get the most from sitting in. Musicians should bring their instruments, if possible.

Jazz Talk The artist can meet with schools or community groups at luncheons, teas, or dinners. These sessions can shed light on the workday activities and professional responsibility of a jazz musician. Who are some of his mentors? Where did he study? Who does he listen to? How much does he practice?

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Special Programs

“Jazz & Tap” – Orrin Evans introduces Orrin Evans is a PennPAT (Pennsylvania audiences to Jazz and Tap Dance . Performing Artists on Tour) roster artist. More information available upon request. Non-profit and government organizations in the mid-Atlantic region may qualify for funding for performances and residencies. “Captain Black Big Band” – Orrin’s Including: DC, DE, MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, critically acclaimed 17 piece big band VA, WV, NC or U.S. Virgin Islands performs original and standards. More information available upon request.

“Song for My Father” Orrin Evans pays tribute to his late father, professor and playwright, Don Evans. This special perfor- mance includes musical selections from The Orrin Evans Quartet, as well as actors and actresses performing skits from some of Don Evans more popular plays like “A Lovesong for Miss Lydia”, “It’s Showdown Time”, or “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show”. Technical requirements provided upon request.

“Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.” This program works well for MLK Day as well as Black History Month programs. A quartet or quintet will be joined by a guest vocalist as well as professor and poet Sonia Sanchez, as they remember a legendary leader with poetry, renditions of negro spirituals, and jazz. This program is available for schools and universities and can be coordinated with a lecture from Ms. Sanchez.

“It’s Electric!” Orrin Evans and the band LUVPARK explore electric jazz of the 70’s and 80’s, the role that R&B bands played on jazz, and the inception of “smooth jazz:. A variety of popular tunes are performed including selections from Herbie Hancock, Pat Methany, Grover Washington and a host of others. A Q&A session can also be included.

“Monk’s Music” This special program uncovers the music of the master, Thelonious Monk. Mr. Evans, a Thelonious Monk competition winner adds his own brand of odd meter playing to some of Monk’s more popular and some obscure tunes. This program is suitable for both solo piano and trio.

Charles Mingus “The Legacy Continues” Mr. Evans is a member of the Charles Mingus Big Band, as well as the Mingus Dynasty Band and has performed the music of Mingus for audiences all over the world. In this setting a quartet takes on a new approach to the music, offering some fresh and innovative interpretations of the music of Charles Mingus.

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected] ORRIN EVANS Press Photos

Links

Audio http://snd.sc/r0x0rE

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=961KlYTZWUY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0TLrmv9eiw

Brian McKenna Tel. 917-748-4337 39 S Ridge Rd. Pomona, NY 10970 [email protected]