Orrin Evans: Flip The Script

Orrin Evans (piano)

Flip The Script (Posi-Tone; 2012)

Donald Edwards (drums)

Ben Wolfe (bass)

Coming off a prolific year with Captain Black Big Band and his quintet recording Freedom, Orrin Evans strips down to a trio for his latest, Flip The Script. While this trio session allows the listener more intimacy with the musicians it is still delivers some electrifying and at times elegant performances.

Working with a simpler approach, Evan's material here is more rich and organic as evident on "Clean House." Here Evan's playing is focused and crisp. Every note has a real sense of passion and urgency. A buoyant tone to Evan's keys hovers softly above the bass and drums but the unity of the trio is not diminished.

Spinning in more of bluesy flavor, "When" and "Big Small" both develop slowly and with somber undertones. "Big Small" displaying more of an uplifting nature in its unique structure. These are two pieces in which Evan's is more laid back and allows Edwards and Wolfe to provide the stronger emphasis to the proceedings.

Both "Flip The Script" and "TC's Blues" swing with a bop quality to would make Thelonious Monk and Red Garland very proud. Midtempo pieces featuring a number chord changes and sharp technique that shows a solid unity and understanding as to where each musicians lies and where their going next with the tune.

The closing number, the Gamble and Huff R&B standard, "The Sound Of Philadelphia" gets a gentle re treatment here and is more personal and effective than ever. The track is most associated as the theme for the America dance/music show Soul Train. Evan's tribute to its creator, Don Cornelius is simply sublime and the absolute best manner for closing this album.

Flip The Script returns the art of trio back to its roots. Emotional, poignant and organic. And with that ethos, Orrin Evans continues to be one of the exciting and diverse prospects on the American scene today.

Orrin Evans: Freedom

Orrin Evans (piano) 

Freedom (Posi-Tone Records; 2011)

Byron Landham (drums)

Anwar Marshall (drums)

Larry Mckenna (sax)

Dwayne Burno (bass)

This has been a revealing or may even an extremely eye-opening year for me when it comes to Orrin Evans. I have always liked his music but never fully focused my attention on it in such detail as I have this year. With the release of Captain Black earlier this year, and a number of constructive arguments with fellow fans I have finally decided to pay attention. So when his latest release, Freedom, came out I have to say I was more eager to listen and I concentrated on every note.  I also have to say it is all worth it.

Freedom is one of the tightest and most well focused sessions from Evans in years. It's a tribute to a few of his influences and members he has performed with in the past.  This is essentially a trio record with McKenna adding some full-bodied and blues-like emotion to two tracks ("Gray's Ferry" and "Time After Time"). His playing feels like a young fearless Ben Webster. He packs a punch, especially on "Time After Time" in which Evans gives him rolling freedom throughout the opening few minutes before rising into the forefront with a potent dexterity that keeps the tune jumpin'. Both Burno and Landham (drums on this number), adds a lot of rich and fast paced texture to the number to really give it a timeless quality.

"One For Honour" rips along softly but with an uptempo theme. Evan's allows Burno and Marshall (drums) to lead the way. And they really craft this Charles Fambrough number into their own. Evans' performance is fierce, fluid and bright. "Oasis", written by Shirley Scott, contains an infectious rumba applied by Landham. Evans gives a steady hand to guide the melody. Burno pumps in some really nice patterns along the bassline.


While the album has its modern bebop sensibilities, Evans manages to round things off with calming effects on Herbie Hancock's "Just Enough." This soulful ballad pulls Evans in both classical (by technique) and jazz (by emotion and theme) directions and he gently guides the listener out from what has been a vibrant and fun journey.

Freedom is a strong statement and return to a small group format that helps Evans compositional skills shine as well as the talents of his band members. This year has really turned me around on the work of Orrin Evans and I hope everyone else too. Solid stuff indeed.


The first video is a great, interesting and fun look at the who, what and where of Evans' history.