Orrin Evans

Biography

Philadelphia-based Orrin Evans has been categorized as a bebop player, one of the "young lions" that emerged in the 1990s. But Evans' style and repertoire are deeply personal, they are broad-ranging and convey a sense of thoughtful intelligence and intention. For example, his original compositions are filled with energy and melodic integrity that are an evolution of the bebop language and give nod to the modern currents of his generation. Evans embraces music for music's sake and has even recorded with hip hop artists Bilal and Common. Evans is a personal and philosophical player who will not dodge the truth nor a challenging conversation. He does not begrudge the fact that musicians need money to survive and enjoy life, but he is proud of the integrity associated with music as an artform. His writings advocate balance of commerce, personal expression and, above all, fairness.

Evans is now the featured pianist in the high acclaimed recording and touring trio The Bad Plus. He currently has about 25 albums out as a leader and, although he is now a member of that prestigious group, he will "never stop being Orrin Evans." [quoted from a podcast, The Burning Ambulance Interviews with Phil Freeman]. As the title of one of Evans' albums, The Evolution of Oneself, demonstrates he will always be actively learning and growing as an artist, surrounding himself with some of the best players on the jazz scene including Nasheet Waits, Christian McBride, Oliver Lake, Kurt Rosenwinkel and others. Orrin Evans has recorded or toured with Sean Jones, Bobby Watson, Ralph Peterson, The Mingus Big Band, Conrad Herwig, Duane Eubanks, Steve Wilson, Roy Hargrove. He organizes and contributes compositions and arrangements to his big band, Captain Black Big Band, and is the recipient of a 2010 Pew Fellowship.