Orrin Evans
Orrin Evans is widely recognized as one of the most distinctive and inventive pianists of his generation. A multifaceted artist, Evans excels as a pianist, composer, bandleader, teacher, producer, and arranger. The New York Times described him as “...a poised artist with an impressive template of ideas at his command,” a quality that has kept Evans at the forefront of the jazz scene.
Evans has released a string of critically acclaimed albums on Posi-Tone, most recently Mother’s Touch (2014), the second recording by his Captain Black Big Band. This powerful and dynamic album features compositions by Evans, Donald Edwards, Eric Revis, and Wayne Shorter, continuing the big band tradition while pushing it boldly into the future.
His recording career began in 1994 with a self-produced trio album on his own Imani Records label. Over the years, Evans released multiple albums on Imani, Criss Cross, and Palmetto Records before his celebrated series of releases on Posi-Tone, including Faith In Action (2010), Tarbaby – The End Of Fear (2010), Freedom (2011), Captain Black Big Band (2011), and Flip The Script (2012).
Growing up in Philadelphia—a city with a rich musical heritage—was vital to Evans’ early development. He studied informally with notable local musicians such as Trudy Pitts, Shirley Scott, and Mickey Roker, and formally with William Whitaker, Jack Carr, and Charles Pettaway. In 1993, Evans was accepted into Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he studied under jazz masters Kenny Barron, Joanne Brackeen, Ralph Bowen, and Ted Dunbar. Their guidance deepened his understanding of jazz fundamentals and the importance of living the music.
After moving to New York City in 1996, Evans joined Bobby Watson’s band Horizon for a European tour, marking his introduction to the NYC jazz scene. Since then, Evans has built an impressive performance and recording resume with artists such as Wallace Roney, Mos Def, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Antonio Hart, Carmen Lundy, Ralph Peterson, The Mingus Big Band, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Branford Marsalis, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, Sean Jones, Tim Warfield, Ravi Coltrane, Robin and Duane Eubanks, and Dave Douglas.
Beyond performing and recording, Evans finds great joy in producing projects for artists like Sean Jones and JD Walter, and leading his own band, which has featured top musicians such as Ben Wolfe, Donald Edwards, Obed Calvaire, Ralph Peterson Jr., Sam Newsome, Nasheet Waits, Reid Anderson, Eric Revis, J.D. Allen, Stacy Dillard, and Duane Eubanks.
Orrin Evans is widely recognized as one of the most distinctive and inventive pianists of his generation. A multifaceted artist, Evans excels as a pianist, composer, bandleader, teacher, producer, and arranger. The New York Times described him as “...a poised artist with an impressive template of ideas at his command,” a quality that has kept Evans at the forefront of the jazz scene.
Evans has released a string of critically acclaimed albums on Posi-Tone, most recently Mother’s Touch (2014), the second recording by his Captain Black Big Band. This powerful and dynamic album features compositions by Evans, Donald Edwards, Eric Revis, and Wayne Shorter, continuing the big band tradition while pushing it boldly into the future.
His recording career began in 1994 with a self-produced trio album on his own Imani Records label. Over the years, Evans released multiple albums on Imani, Criss Cross, and Palmetto Records before his celebrated series of releases on Posi-Tone, including Faith In Action (2010), Tarbaby – The End Of Fear (2010), Freedom (2011), Captain Black Big Band (2011), and Flip The Script (2012).
Growing up in Philadelphia—a city with a rich musical heritage—was vital to Evans’ early development. He studied informally with notable local musicians such as Trudy Pitts, Shirley Scott, and Mickey Roker, and formally with William Whitaker, Jack Carr, and Charles Pettaway. In 1993, Evans was accepted into Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he studied under jazz masters Kenny Barron, Joanne Brackeen, Ralph Bowen, and Ted Dunbar. Their guidance deepened his understanding of jazz fundamentals and the importance of living the music.
After moving to New York City in 1996, Evans joined Bobby Watson’s band Horizon for a European tour, marking his introduction to the NYC jazz scene. Since then, Evans has built an impressive performance and recording resume with artists such as Wallace Roney, Mos Def, Common, Pharoah Sanders, Antonio Hart, Carmen Lundy, Ralph Peterson, The Mingus Big Band, Roy Hargrove, Nicholas Payton, Branford Marsalis, Gary Bartz, Eddie Henderson, Sean Jones, Tim Warfield, Ravi Coltrane, Robin and Duane Eubanks, and Dave Douglas.
Beyond performing and recording, Evans finds great joy in producing projects for artists like Sean Jones and JD Walter, and leading his own band, which has featured top musicians such as Ben Wolfe, Donald Edwards, Obed Calvaire, Ralph Peterson Jr., Sam Newsome, Nasheet Waits, Reid Anderson, Eric Revis, J.D. Allen, Stacy Dillard, and Duane Eubanks.