Family, Friends, Dancing, and Singing (Large Ensembles)

 

In a perfect musical world, pianist, composer, bandleader, and label owner Orrin Evans would be a bonafide superstar. Think about it – the music he creates is such a delightful fusion of Black Music old and young. He can "out", he can play "in", he's a great "comper" and has no fear of mixing soul/ r'n'b into different settings.  Over the course of 20 albums on labels such as CrissCross, Palmetto, Posi-Tone, Smoke Sessions, and his own Imani Records, he's led groups of all sizes, from trios to 14-member big bands and, bless his soul, has yet to make a boring record.

"Walk a Mile in My Shoe" (Imani Records) is the fifth album from the Captain Black Big Band: nine members strong for this recording (plus guests bassist Anthony Tidd, trumpeter Nicholas Payton, and organist Jesse Fischer as well as seven tracks with vocalists), the the nine-song program ranges from "standards" to 70s "pop" tunes to Blues to soul. Evans serves as "overseer" with production credits going to "the Village" (current and former band members. Trombonist David Gibson contributed four arrangements, Mark Stasio two, and one each from Josh Lawrence, Todd Bashore, and original member John Raymond.  The vocalists –– Paul Jost, Joanna Pascale, Bilal, and Lisa Fischer –– all bring unique singing styles to the mix and it's a real pleasure to hear how the arrangers create new worlds for each one.

The album opens with "Dislocation Blues"; penned by the late Chris Whitley the songs creeps in on the funky drums of Anwar Marshall and the liquid electric bass of Anthony Tidd. Paul Jost digs into the lyrics shadowed by Evans and organist Fischer.  Jost also shines on Todd Bashore's brilliant, smoky, and elegant arrangement of David Gates's "If" (first recorded by Bread in 1971).  Caleb Wheeler Curtis plays a wonderful soprano saxophone solo yet it's the arrangement of the sections that truly stand out.  The ensemble sounds so big yet the arrangement as well as the excellent sound mix keeps the vocalist front and center.

Photo: Rob Davidson

Other highlights include vocalist Lisa Fischer sounding great on her two appearances. She absolutely "owns" "Blues In The Night" (from the prolific pens of Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer) yet the brilliant arrangement by Mark Stasio also stands out. The piano solo scorches the speakers. Listen below to Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed". Here, Ms. Fischer sounds so tender, accompanied in the opening moments by only trumpeter Nicholas Payton and Evans.  Josh Lawrence's fine arrangement has echoes of Burt Bacharach especially when accompanying the vocal after the solos. 

Photo: Lisa Hagen Glynn

The one purely instrumental piece is a smashing brass and reeds only arrangement (David Gibson) of Jerome Kern's "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes".  Short and ever-so-sweet!!

Bilal's two appearances include a funky original "All That I Am" (with Nicholas Payton grooving with the band) and a heartfelt take on Marvin Gaye's pleading "Save The Children".  The lyrics are still quite prescient and the vocalist makes sure the listener understands the plight of inner-city youth.  The instrumentalists capture the feel of the early-to-mid 70s groove that the late Mr. Gaye on his albums.

The album title "Walk a Mile In My Shoe" refers to the malformation of Orrin Evans's left foot, a condition that kept him from playing sports with his friend. The cover shows the special shoes he had to wear. Don't feel bad for him. Mr. Evans used his experiences, his surgeries, the pain, and, as he done often over his career, created a positive message of perseverance and moving forward.  This particular reminds of the programs the late trumpeter Lester Bowie created for his Brass Fantasy ensemble, the blend of old and new, jazz and pop, the delicious funky backbeat, the swirling arrangements. It's like a variety show and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Fun for the whole family.

For more information, go to https://orrinevansmusic.com/portfolio/captain-black-big-band/. To hear more and to purchase the album, go to https://orrinevansimani.bandcamp.com/album/walk-a-mile-in-my-shoe. 

Here's the CBBB with Ms. Lisa Fischer on Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed:":

Personnel:

Sean Jones, Josh Lawrence – trumpets
Todd Bashore – alto saxophone, flute
Caleb Wheeler Curtis – tenor/soprano saxophones
David Gibson, Reggie Watkins – trombones
Vicente Archer, Madison Rast – double bass
Anthony Tidd (“Dislocation Blues”) – electric bass
Anwar Marshall, Mark Whitfield II – drums
Orrin Evans – piano

Guest soloists: Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Jesse Fischer (organ)

Guest vocalists:

Lisa Fischer ("Blues In The Night" and "Overjoyed")

Paul Jost ("Dislocation Blues" and "If")

Bilal ("All That I Am" and "Save The Children")

Joanna Pascale ("Sunday In New York")

Photo: Jonathan Yee

Florida-native and trumpeter Jonathan Powell moved to New York City in 2001 where he found work in a number of bands but, most notably, the Afro-Colombian ensemble La Creacion. He's gone on to work with Arturo O'Farrill & His Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Eddie Palmieri, Snoop Dogg, Ricky Martin, Miguel Zenón, and Pedro Giraudo (amog many others). In 2007, he started his own band, nu Sangha, and has since released two albums.  He moved to Colorado Springs, CO, to become part of the U.S. Air Force Falconaires Big Band. Before he left, he went into a New York City studio to record a new album, one that reflect his two decades as a sideman in numerous ensembles.

"Mambo Jazz Party" (Circle 9 Records) is as, the title says. a "party".  Just check out the personnel list; see all those percussionists, the brass and reeds, and then take a listen to the track below Now, try to sit still. I didn't think so. Powell, whose brother Jeremy plays tenor saxophone on 10 tracks and flute on one more, has the kind of sharp tone that cuts right through the band. His section work is exceptional. The trumpeter's experiences in Latin ensembles echoes throughout the program. There's the amazing rhythm section built around bassist Luques Curtis and drummers/percussionists Camilo Molina, Marcos Lopez, Marcos Torres, and Luisito Quintero. The rhythms percolate, bounce, sway, rumble, thunder, and make one want to dance around the floor. For example, "Paramahansa" bubbles in on congas, bongos, and more until the ensemble enters to state the sweet melody. The brass swirl all around the percussion on the fiery take of Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge", the piercing tones of the trumpet matched the mellower sound of Doug Beavers on trombone. 

Manuel Valera joins the "party" for several tunes including the sensuous take of Herbie Hancock's "Butterfly". His electric piano and synth work dances around ad underneath Powell's "electric" trumpet solo before the keyboardist dances atop the band. 

Listen below to Eddie Palmieri's "Un Dia Bonita" featuring the exciting vocals of Anthony Almonte. Notice that brilliant percussion, the hypnotic piano work of Mr. Valera, and how much fun the vocalist is having. Of course, you cannot miss the groove. 

Tracks like "Frogwala" and the album opener "Juancito" will test your speakers capability to withstand the thunderous rhythm section. The latter track also features a solo from the great trombonist Jimmy Bosch, founder of La Orquestra and his Sexteto de Otro Mundo. Powell's "Totem Pole" closes the program. The opening moments bring McCoy Tyner's large ensemble to mind but solos by bassist Luques Curtis, the leader, and trombonist Doug Beavers emphasize the Latin sound as does the rollicking drum solo from Camilo Molina that closes the piece.

Need an excuse to party. Roll up the rugs, fire up the grills, chill the libations, and throw "Mambo Jazz Party" on the stereo. Jonathan Powell has created a delightful antidote to the blues and the news –– open your ears and put on your party shoes.

For more information, go to www.jonathanpowell.net/. To purchase the album (digital, CD, or two-Lp set), go to https://jonathanpowell.bandcamp.com/album/mambo-jazz-party.  

Personnel:

Jonathan Powell trumpet, flugelhorn, & EVI
Andrew Gould alto saxophone 
Jeremy Powell tenor saxophone & flute 
Jimmy Bosch trombone solos ("Juancito")
Doug Beavers trombone

Itai Kriss flute 
Louis Fouché alto saxophone solo ("Juancito")
Nir Felder electric guitar ("Hope")
Axel Tosca piano, fender rhodes & synth
Manuel Valera fender rhodes & synth ("Butterfly" and "Yogananda")
Luques Curtis bass
Camilo Molina drums & timbales, shekere & clave, maracas & guiro, bongos, and bata (10)
Marcos Lopez congas 
Marcos Torres congas 
Luisito Quintero bongos, guiro, campana, miscellaneous percussion 
Ariacne Trujillo lead vocal ("You're Everything")
Anthony Almonte lead vocal ("Un Dia Bonita"), coros ("You're Everything")

Jeremy Bosch coros ("You're Everything" and "Un Dia Bonita" )

Listen to "Un Dia Bonita II": 

Dj SWEET Salsa DAVID GUADALUPE · " Un Dia Bonito " Jonathan Powell Feat. Anthony Almonte