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Review: The Captain Black Big Band, led by pianist Orrin Evans, is a high-intensity, swinging affair featuring a number of top soloists from the jazz scenes of New York and Philadelphia. Recorded during three different live performances in 2010, the group features a rotating cast of thirty-eight musicians over seven tracks. Despite the lack of a cohesive unit, the disc maintains stunning consistency with undeniable spirit and musical drive.From the opening “Art of War,” a blistering, boppish piece featuring a jaw-dropping solo by alto saxophonist Rob Landham, the bands tight ensemble passages and intuitive use of dynamics creates an unrelenting high-energy vibe. The band is propelled by lead trumpeter Walter White, who, as a soloist, navigates through the up-tempo maze of Evans’ “Big Jimmy” with strength and cleverness. Veteran saxophonist Ralph Bowen follows White on “Big Jimmy” with flowing soprano lines.

Evans contributes as a composer on four tracks and arranger on the closing “Jena 6,” a Mingus-like anthem-of-a-piece with an impressive opening piano cadenza by Neal Podgurski and other-worldly, emotive wailing from alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw. The presence of Podgurski and pianist Jim Holton on the title track allows Evans the freedom to leave the piano bench and take on a director’s role. Perhaps the ability to stand out in front of the band and keep all involved motivated is the key to Evans’ success. The results here are fresh, forward thinking and a cut above the typical big band fare.
Tracks: Art of War, Here’s the Captain, Inheritance, Big Jimmy, Captain Black, Easy Now, Jena 6

Record Label Website: https://www.posi-tone.com

Artist’s Website: http://www.myspace.com/orrinevans

Reviewed by: John Vincent Barron

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Orrin Evans: Captain Black Big Band

Orrin Evans (piano; b. 1975)

Captain Black Big Band (Posi-Tone Records)

As the next generation of jazz musicians get more experience, albums and live performances under their belt, its almost inevitable that they will record a big band record. In recent years we have seen it from Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Dave Holland, Nicholas Payton, Joe Lovano and now Orrin Evans. With the Captain Black Big Band though, Orrin Evans has created more of a giant jam session than the Ellington, Basie, Armstrong homage. This is a live recording that is rich and festive in sound as well as collaborative in spirit.

Originally a project developed for live performances at Chris’ Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, Evans combines the talent of young and elder statesmen into a surprisingly cohesive 38 piece ensemble. This live recording was recorded over three separate gigs throughout New York and Philadelphia during 2010. Orrin Evans, who has experience in big bands already as a member with the Mingus Big Band which plays consistently in New York City, put the group together to explore his sometimes complex but always entertaining and stellar arrangements. The name Captain Black comes from the pipe tobacco but also Evans memories as a child and his father, who smoked the Captain Black brand. He also used it for the title of his second album release in 1998 on Criss Cross records.

This big band outing opens on the high spirited note of “Art Of War” (written by drummer and friend, Ralph Peterson) with some great solo work from Rob Landham. Solos throughout this session is something that Evans appears to be committed to. While Evans leads the group, he specifically wants to highlight the talents of individual members on the recording. The vibe on this record is definitely a party atmosphere and that continues with “Inheritance”, a piece that vibrates and swings with propulsive solo from Todd Marcus (bass clarinet), whom also arranged the piece. In addition, Walter White (trumpet) and Anwar Marshall (drums) star with powerfully dynamic solo work–especially Marshall towards the end of the piece.

Evans playing is understated on this recording (he also includes two additional pianist, Jim Holton and Neil Podgurski) but you do get a great sense of joy and excitement from these live sessions which particularly puts the listener in the front row of what must have been some really smokin’ performances. “Easy Now” (originally from the Evan’s 2004 album of the same name) is a somber but expressive piece. This live big band version is gives that melodic ballad a bit more breathe but retains the overall emotional effectiveness of the piece. “Easy Now” does see Evans taking more of a prominent role as his playing in vital to the piece. The solos from Mark Allen on sax and Tatum Greenblatt on trumpet are beautiful and carry a deep emotional resonance. The closing number “Jena 6” is a killer piece. Featuring Jaleel Shaw (sax), who is quickly becoming one of the more explosive saxophonist of the next generation, delivers a blistering statement of intent that should really get wider attention from jazz community.

The Captain Black Big Band really doesn’t feel like your average big band session. For as many members included on this date it feels more like a quartet or quintet. Instead of Ellington or Basie you’ll reminisce on Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. All the members are in unison and keep the direction and vision of its creator, Orrin Evans, who definitely has sense for structure when its needed and freedom when it demands. The Captain Black Big Band should have huge appeal for everyone.

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TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2011

Powerful Sounds

Captain Black Big Band (Posi-Tone Records) – Positive comments have been swirling for several years about this large aggregation.  Founded and led by pianist/composer Orrin Evans(and named for one of his pieces, which itself was named for his father’s favorite pipe tobacco), the CBBB features musicians of all ages, many based in the Philadelphia, PA, area.  And, it’s a “workshop” band in that everyone can bring in pieces and/or arrangements.

The music on the band’s debut CD, recorded live on 3 separate evenings (1 in Philly at Chris’ Jazz Cafe, 2 in New York City at the Jazz Gallery), is, at turns, raucous, provocative, attractive, shiny and without a dull moment.  The program blasts off right out of the chute with “The Art of War“, a  piece by Evans’ long-time employer, drummer Ralph Peterson. Powered by drummer Anwar Marshall and anchored by bassist Mike Boone, the piece features a incendiary solo from alto saxophonist Rob Landham atop a thunderous arrangement by Todd Bashore. Gianluca Renzi’s “Here’s The Captain” opesn with an impressionistic solo piano spot from Evans before moving into a medium tempo modal work. te composer, who also arranged the work, moves the theme around the brass section. Second time through, the reeds get the opening phrase before the brass take the melody once more.  Tenor saxophonist Victor North delivers a robust solo before Evans takes the spotlight for a swinging, riveting, spot.

Other highlights include “Captain Black” with finely textured solo from pianist Jim Holton and a boisterous “shoutout” by trombonistStafford Hunter. Between those two solos, tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen goes on an engrossing journey filled with twists, turns, questions and resolution.  “Easy Now“, also composed by Evans, starts off in stentorian fashion with the reeds and brass making a bold statement above the thunderous drum work of Gene Jackson.  Todd Marcus’s arrangement moves the melody into a gospel feel – there is a fine measured solo from trumpeter Tatum Greenblatt followed by a more aggressive turn from baritone saxophonist Mark Allen. When the horns and reeds return at the climax of Allen’s solo, one feels the temperature rise dramatically.  The CD closes with “Jena 6“, Evans’ piece dedicated to the 6 black teenagers from Louisiana convicted of beating a white teen after a series of racially inspired incidents in the town of Jena.  Originally recorded as a trio piece with Tarbaby, the leader’s multi-sectioned work has an ominous tone, from pianist Neil Podgurski‘s unaccompanied opening to the melody line (that has shades of Charles Mingus throughout) to Jaleel Shaw’s long and impassioned alto saxophone solo, delivered over shifting tempos created by drummer Donald Edwards and bassist Luques Curtis. There are moments during Shaw’s journey where the squalling brass and thunderous drums express anger and rage – Shaw’s unaccompanied cadenza that ends the piece is intense, indignant and without remorse.

In the past several years, there have been a number of excellent large ensemble recordings, from Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society to trombonist Alan Ferber’s Nonet with strings to John Hollenbeck’s 2 fine recordings to Charles Tolliver hearty organization (and more).  Orrin Evans and Captain Black Big Band’s debut is the equal to all those, a powerful statement that brings together musicians, composers and arrangers of all ages to create music that rails against injustice, teaches us about cooperation and allows each one to raise his or her own voice above the “white noise” of daily existence.

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The man behind the Captain Black Big Band is pianist Orrin Evans. The ensemble’s eponymous debut recording is a CD of such style, musicality and instrumental power that it seems only right to ensure that Evans gets the credit upfront. This is straight-ahead, swinging, big band music, recorded at three live performances in New York and Philadelphia in early 2010. The tunes may be familiar—Evans has recorded some of them more than once—but the new arrangements ensure that the band has a contemporary sound that draws from and adapts big band history rather than merely borrowing it unchanged.

Of course, it’s not all due to Evans: each of the musicians contributes to the Captain Black sound. While Evans is the bandleader and main composer, he’s by no means the dominant instrumental voice on the album, taking only one solo, on Gianluca Renzi’s silky “Here’s The Captain.” There are plenty of other fine soloists within the group, and Evans makes effective use of their talents. “Jena 6,” written and arranged by Evans, features two of the best, in Neil Podgurski’s metallic, angular piano and Jaleel Shaw’s looping and swerving alto work.

Evans’ own “Captain Black” is the tune that links most directly to the big bands of the past, with saxophonist Todd Bashore’s arrangement giving it aCount Basie feel. “Easy Now,” another Evans tune this time arranged by bass clarinetist Todd Marcus, is the most reflective and romantic number. It’s loose-limbed and rather melancholy, with Gene Jackson’s drumming charting its ebb and flow while baritone saxophonist Mark Allen and trumpeter Tatum Greenblatt deliver strong and atmospheric solos.

Evans has been part of some fascinating jazz ensembles, most notably Tarbaby, whose End Of Fear (Posi-Tone) was one of 2010’s finest releases.Captain Black Big Band is an emphatic demonstration of his ability to lead an innovative and vibrant orchestra that can surprise and entertain in equal measure.

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The Posi-Tone label has positioned itself as a prime purveyor of small group jazz, with artists like pianist Orrin Evans leading the way, and both parties are breaking new ground with the release of The Captain Black Big Band. After putting out dozens of small group sessions, the label has taken a bold step in a bigger direction by releasing the debut big band recording from one of jazz’s rising stars. Evans’ prior output for the label—his ownFaith In Action (Posi-Tone, 2010) and the audacious collective efforts on Tarbaby’s The End Of Fear (Posi-Tone 2010)—present an artist possessing a keen sense of balance between inside and outside ideals, and this same approach can be felt throughout this record.

The first three numbers spotlight three different composers and arrangers, which demonstrating the full breadth and depth of what this band can do. The full weight of the ensemble is used sparingly on Todd Bashore‘s arrangement of Ralph Peterson‘s “The Art Of War,” and the focus really falls on Rob Landham’s helium-infused alto saxophone work. The band touches on Latin grooves with Gianluca Renzi‘s “Here’s The Captain,” which features some explosive piano work from Evans, and Todd Marcus‘ arrangement of his own “Inheritance” demonstrates a more melodically centered form of big band writing. His bass clarinet work adds a new dimension to the sound of the band, and trumpeter Walter White injects some humor into the proceedings with a “Hallelujah” quote from Handel’sMessiah.

The last four tracks are penned by Evans, giving the music a certain sense of continuity, but the pieces themselves come from different points in Evans’ compositional evolution, and three different arrangers put their own unique stamp on his work. Bashore arranges a pair of tunes from Captain Black (Criss Cross, 1998)—the title track, and “Big Jimmy,” an album highlight where the saxophonist uses measured dissonance in the introduction and, once things start swinging, White’s brawny trumpet work is as beautifully boisterous as it gets. Marcus tackles the title track fromEasy Now (Criss Cross, 2005), underscoring some high-to-low voice contrasts at the outset with some rumbling drums, as the music eventually takes on a down-tempo, loose swing vibe.

Evans’ own arrangement of his “Jena 6,” from the Tarbaby album, is the recording’s most adventurous ride. Neil Podgurski‘s drama-filled piano prelude, with certain disjunct sensibilities, gives way to a woozy and ominous atmosphere. Alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw becomes the focal point, as the rhythm section coalesces into a free bop machine and the icing on the cake comes in the form of Shaw’s coarse-as-can-be coda, which boils over with energy.

The Captain Black Big Band has easily earned its stripes with this self-titled debut, demonstrating another side of Evans’ endlessly fascinating musical personality.