Orrin Evans

• 3 PANEL DIGIPACK EDITION

Orrin Evans’ The Magic of Now, the 20th of the 46-year-old pianist-composer’s luminous career and recorded in the midst of the upheavals set in motion by the COVID-19 pandemic, this latest document of Evans’ kaleidoscopic artistic journey coincides with several self-generated sea changes in his life. Perhaps the most significant change being his decision to leave the popular trio The Bad Plus after three productive years in order to refocus his time and energy on his own multiple musical projects.

The Magic of Now finds Orrin Evans in exquisite form leading a multi-generational cohort of A-list partners – first-call New York bassist Vicente Archer; iconic drummer Bill Stewart; and the dynamic 23-year-old alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins. From the first note to the last, the quartet, convening as a unit for the first time, displays the cohesion and creative confidence of old friends. Together, they apply their collective mojo to three Evans originals, three heretofore unrecorded Wilkins songs, and a two-song opening medley featuring music by Stewart and the late great pianist Mulgrew Miller generating an eight-piece program that exemplifies state-of-the-art modern jazz.

PERSONNEL:

• Inmanuel Wilkins - alto sax
• Orrin Evans - piano
• Vicente Archer - bass
• Bill Stewart - drums

TRACKS:

• 01. Mynah / The Eleventh Hour
• 02. Libra
• 03. The Poor Fisherman
• 04. MAT-Matt
• 05. Levels
• 06. Momma Loves
• 07. Dave