Orrin Evans at NYC Winter Jazzfest

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Of It with Alison Stewart Featuring Orrin Evans at NYC Winter Jazz Fest

Release Date: January 7, 2025

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Introduction

In the January 7, 2025 episode of WNYC's All Of It, host Alison Stewart welcomes Grammy-nominated pianist Orrin Evans to discuss his musical journey, his latest album, and his upcoming performances at the NYC Winter Jazz Fest. This episode offers an in-depth look into Evans's artistry, his creative processes, and his role as an educator in the jazz community.

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Guest Introduction: Orrin Evans

Alison Stewart opens the conversation by introducing Orrin Evans, highlighting his Grammy nomination for the album Walk a Mile in My Shoe. She notes Evans's performances at the Winter Jazz Fest, including a live set at City Winery and an event inspired by John Coltrane's seminal album A Love Supreme.

“Orrin Evans is a Philly-based pianist who's nominated for a Grammy for his album Walk a Mile in My Shoe... Evans is here now with members of his band.” (00:25)

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Live Performances and Band Introduction

Evans begins the episode with a live performance, sharing a piece titled "Sweet Sid," composed by his bassist Jonathan Michelle in honor of their mentor, Sid Simmons from Philadelphia.

“We just heard a tune by our bassist, Jonathan Michelle. Tune called Sweet Sid. Written for a mentor to all of us, Sid Simmons out of Philadelphia.” (04:47)

He introduces his band members:

• Anwar Marshall on drums
• Jonathan Michelle on bass
• Bill McHenry on tenor saxophone
• Caleb Wheeler and Curtis on trumpet and other instruments

“On drums, Anwar Marshall... On bass, as I said, Jonathan Michelle... Tenor saxophone, Bill McHenry... Caleb Wheeler. Curtis.” (05:01)

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Winter Jazz Fest Performances

Discussing his participation in the Winter Jazz Fest, Evans explains his approach to curating his setlist, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the venue's ambiance and collaborating with his band.

“Because I go with the room and the spirit and the vibe and see what happens. And luckily the people I play with, we have a long list of words we can use in the conversation.” (05:37)

He anticipates featuring songs like "I Love Her" with vocalist Lisa Fisher, noting the dynamic nature of live performances.

“Your set will include I love her, Lisa Fisher... it's subject to change.” (05:32)

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The Influence of A Love Supreme

When asked about the significance of A Love Supreme, Evans shares a personal connection to the album, highlighting its authenticity and emotional depth.

“I'll say for me, I don't know for everyone, but it's the honesty that comes across every time you turn it on... I got married to that album. Came down the aisle to A Love Supreme. Nice. So it's just so honest. And real.” (06:03)

He underscores the album's themes of love, trust, joy, peace, and self-discovery, describing it as a foundational statement of personal and musical integrity.

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Exploring Walk A Mile in My Shoe

Evans delves into his Grammy-nominated album, Walk A Mile in My Shoe, revealing it as a narrative of resilience and personal storytelling. He candidly discusses the inspiration behind the album's title, relating it to a congenital condition affecting his left foot.

“The story of Walk a Mile in My Shoe is pretty much about something I was born with that affected my left foot... Everybody thought my limp was cause I'm cool. I am cool. But that's not why I'm limping.” (06:44)

Evans emphasizes the importance of embracing and sharing one's personal journey, fostering a connection through vulnerability and authenticity.

“...being okay with telling yours.” (07:22)

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Incorporation of Cover Songs

The album features Evans's interpretations of classics like Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" and Marvin Gaye's "Save the Children." He explains that these selections resonate deeply with him and fit seamlessly into the album's overarching narrative.

“They're just tunes that spoke to me as far and has been speaking to me for a long time... we had, like, I talked earlier about the words. We had a list of words for the conversation. And those singers kind of picked from those words and shaped the story.” (07:40)

This collaborative process ensures that each cover contributes meaningfully to the album's themes, guided by the vocalists' personal connections to the songs.

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Creative Roots and Upbringing

Evans recounts his upbringing in a household steeped in the performing arts, with his mother as an opera singer and his father as a playwright. This environment fostered a deep appreciation for creativity and resilience.

“...always there was a dedication to live, performing arts... just seeing it and being around artists and really seeing how beautiful it was to be creative...” (15:14)

His early experiences in New Jersey and Philadelphia, marked by solitude and limited peer interaction, led him to find solace and passion in playing the piano, influenced by his jazz saxophonist uncle.

“I was around the music and I think instead, music stuck with me. Instead of me sticking with music, it stuck with me and it's still sticking with me.” (16:06)

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Role as an Educator at Rutgers University

Continuing his family's legacy, Evans serves as a jazz educator at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. He reflects on the evolving landscape of music appreciation among his students, noting the ease of access to music today compared to past generations.

“Cause we had to go to the library, look up all the records, find it, and now when I bring up a record. No, I've never heard that. There's really no excuse now.” (17:14)

Evans discusses the challenges and opportunities in teaching modern students, emphasizing the necessity to cultivate deep musical understanding amidst the vast availability of digital content.

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Final Performance: "4 Miles"

Concluding the episode, Evans performs "4 Miles," a heartfelt composition dedicated to his oldest son, encapsulating his personal and musical legacy.

“This is 4 miles written for my oldest son. And here it is.” (18:09)

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Notable Quotes

1. “I'll say for me, I don't know for everyone, but it's the honesty that comes across every time you turn it on.” – Orrin Evans on A Love Supreme (06:03)

2. “The story of Walk a Mile in My Shoe is pretty much about something I was born with that affected my left foot... Everybody thought my limp was cause I'm cool. I am cool. But that's not why I'm limping.” – Orrin Evans (06:44)

3. “Cause we had to go to the library, look up all the records, find it, and now when I bring up a record. No, I've never heard that. There's really no excuse now.” – Orrin Evans on teaching music at Rutgers (17:14)

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This episode of All Of It provides a comprehensive exploration of Orrin Evans's contributions to the jazz world, his personal narratives woven through his music, and his dedication to nurturing future generations of musicians. Through engaging discussions and soulful performances, listeners gain valuable insights into the interplay between personal experience and artistic expression in shaping contemporary culture.

Transcript

[Orrin Evans]

Listener support, WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. January is New York. It means it's time for Winter Jazz. It begins Thursday and runs through January 15th. Some of the world's best musicians will play this month all around the city. This includes my next guest, Orrin Evans. Evans is a Philly based pianist who's nominated for a Grammy for his album Walk a Mile in My Shoe. Yes, I said shoe. We'll get into that. The album was recorded with his Captain Black Big Band. Captain Black Big Band. There we go. And is nominated in the best large Jazz ensemble category. Orrin Evans is here now with members of his band. Perform live and give us what he calls a good dose of vitamin M. He will be at City Winery this Friday night as part of Winter Jazz Fest as well as for an event inspired by A Love supreme on January 12th. Welcome, Orin.

[Orrin Evans]

Thank you to be here.

[Alison Stewart]

Thank you. You're gonna start us off with something.

[Orrin Evans]

Yes.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's hear it. That was Orrin Evans performing live on wnyc. What did we just hear, Orrin?

[Orrin Evans]

We just heard a tune by our bassist, Jonathan Michelle. Tune called Sweet Sid. Written for a mentor to all of us, Sid Simmons out of Philadelphia.

[Alison Stewart]

And by that, we should introduce the rest of your band as well. Do you want to tell me who you got playing with you?

[Orrin Evans]

On drums, Anwar Marshall.

[Alison Stewart]

Hello, Anwar.

[Orrin Evans]

On bass, as I said, Jonathan Michelle.

[Alison Stewart]

Nice to meet you.

[Orrin Evans]

Tenor saxophone, Bill McHenry.

[Alison Stewart]

Nice to meet you.

[Orrin Evans]

And Stritch and trumpet. Maybe. You never know what might happen. Caleb Wheeler. Curtis.

[Alison Stewart]

Thanks so much for introducing your band. You've been performing as a part of Winter Jazz Fest on Friday night and your set will include I love her, Lisa Fisher. Love Lisa Fisher. Do you have a set list ready?

[Orrin Evans]

Somewhat, almost. You know, I sent one out, but that's always subject to change.

[Alison Stewart]

Why is it subject to change?

[Orrin Evans]

Because I go with the room and the spirit and the vibe and see what happens. And luckily the people I play with, we have a long list of words we can use in the conversation.

[Alison Stewart]

Interesting. I know you're also participating in a program about a Love supreme on January 12th at Roulette in Brooklyn. Why is that album such an impressive achievement in music?

[Orrin Evans]

I'll be honest and say. I'll say for me, I don't know for everyone, but it's the honesty that comes across every time you turn it on. We actually. I got married to that album. Came down the aisle to A Love Supreme. Nice. So it's just so honest. And real. And that's what I love about it. And there's so many places you can go with it. And then you realize you shouldn't go there. You should just stay right where that is. It's a statement of love and trust and joy and peace and finding yourself. And if you're ready to deal with that doesn't need to be changed. Just deal with that.

[Alison Stewart]

Let's talk about your album, Walk A Mile in My Shoe. What would we learn about you by walking a mile in your shoe?

[Orrin Evans]

That I'm resilient, I hope and loving. And I've been around a bunch of people who are just like me and give just as much. Like these gentlemen I'm here with now. And the story of Walk a Mile in My Shoe is pretty much about something I was born with that affected my left foot. And I never really talk about it. And I don't know, Maybe I'm turning 50 this year, so maybe it got like, I might as well talk about it. Everybody thought my limp was. Cause I'm cool. I am cool. But that's not why I'm limping. So now it's about telling that story and just all of our journeys. We all have a separate journey and being okay with telling yours.

[Alison Stewart]

I'm sorry. I could keep giving you my back. I haven't forgotten you. Just Mr. Drummer Man. The album also features renditions of Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder and Save the Children by Marvin Gaye. Why did you want to include your interpretations of these songs?

[Orrin Evans]

They're just tunes that spoke to me as far and has been speaking to me for a long time. And they have been in the book for a while, some of them. And I just really wanted to do it with this big band. And also the selections came from the vocalists. I had a list of songs and I sent it out to the vocalist and I said, here are some of the songs. Which ones do you feel comfortable singing? And most of them said, I would love to sing this. I would love to sing this. So it was more so that we had, like, I talked earlier about the words. We had a list of words for the conversation. And those singers kind of picked from those words and shaped the story.

[Alison Stewart]

What kind of words are you talking about?

[Orrin Evans]

Just language that we all speak. And sometimes when you're around people that speak that same language, even just like what we just played, playing it like that and being able to have a conversation, you can't do that with everybody. And with the gentlemen and ladies that I'm blessed to play with. I feel that I can be free and there's so much that I can pull from any conversation and we can have a great time and tell a good story.

[Alison Stewart]

We talked about Lisa Fisher being on the album. Who else?

[Orrin Evans]

Joanna Pascal is the other vocalist, along with Bilal and Paul Jost and another special guest, Nicholas Peyton and Jesse Fisher. And then almost everybody in this room. Jonathan Michelle was in the room, but he's not on this record. And Bill McHenry was in. In Barcelona, so he wasn't on it. But he also played the gig with Lisa Fisher last year.

[Alison Stewart]

Orrin Evans album is Walk a Mile in My Shoe. It's nominated for a Grammy this year in the best Jazz ensemble album category. Can we hear another song?

[Orrin Evans]

Sure.

[Alison Stewart]

What are we gonna hear?

[Orrin Evans]

This is a Caleb Wheeler turned Caleb Wheeler Curtis.

[Alison Stewart]

My Job Hart.

[Orrin Evans]

Yeah, it is. It's entitled Caleb Wheeler Curtis. And the song is entitled Tossed Aside. And it's on his record that is on our label, Imani Records, and his record called Heat Map. SA SA.

[Alison Stewart]

We'Re having a conversation with Oren Evans, the pianist. He's performing at NYC Winter Jazz Fest. You grew up in a household that really thought important, important things about creativity. Your mom was an opera singer, Your dad was a playwright. What lessons did your parents teach you about creativity?

[Orrin Evans]

Basically, I keep coming back to this word, but the resilient side of them, because my father also, you know, in Trenton, New Jersey, with a family and still trying to get plays out, teaching full time. But always there was a dedication to live, performing arts. We drove to New York almost two or three times a week sometimes, and monthly to come up to different classes. Just a dedication to the arts, even if they weren't always on the stage. It was just seeing it and being around artists and really seeing how beautiful it was to be creative and that it always didn't have to be on the stage. Sometimes it was in the kitchen. You know what I mean? Just wherever. Just that idea that you can try it and do it.

[Alison Stewart]

What made you stick with the piano as a kid?

[Orrin Evans]

Loneliness, actually. You know, when I in New Jersey, I didn't really want to play, but I had to play. I had to take lessons. When we moved to Philadelphia, I lived in a neighborhood that there were no kids. So I came from a neighborhood that had a thousand kids and I was riding my bike and all I wanted to do was bmx. Then I got to Philadelphia and there was no one around me. I lived on a block that everyone was retired and no one had kids. So the only, you know, this wasn't. This was long before we could go stream anything and watch stuff. So it was like, all right, well, there's a piano downstairs. And I got just really into playing the piano. And my uncle was a jazz saxophonist that we lived with in Philadelphia. So I was around the music and I think instead, music stuck with me. Instead of me sticking with music, it stuck with me and it's still sticking with me.

[Alison Stewart]

I understand, though, that you're a teacher like your dad was.

[Orrin Evans]

I am. I'm actually at this now. I'm at the same school he used to teach. I'm at Mason Gross at Rutgers University. He was in the theater department years ago, and I'm there in the jazz department now.

[Alison Stewart]

What. What are the kids. What are the kids interested in? When it talks about the music you play? Everything.

[Orrin Evans]

I'm still trying to figure that out. I'm still trying to figure that out. It is fun to talk. I mean, every once in a while I just sit and talk to my students instead of while we're in the classroom. And I've learned a lot. I've watched new shows and one of my students is really. But really it's fun to see how convenient and available the music is to them and how much they still don't know. So that's very interesting, you know. Cause we had to go to the library, look up all the records, find it, and now when I bring up a record. No, I've never heard that. There's really no excuse now.

[Alison Stewart]

That's your job now. Teach them.

[Orrin Evans]

There it is. There it is.

[Alison Stewart]

I don't want us to run out of time. I want to get a little more of this third song that we have planned in. I want to let people know that Orin Evans performing live ahead of their show at City Winery on Friday night at part of NYC Winter Jazz Fest. What are we going to hear on our way out?

[Orrin Evans]

This is 4 miles written for my oldest son. And here it is.

[Alison Stewart]

Here it is. NYC now delivers breaking news, top headlines and in depth coverage from WNYC and Gothamist every morning, midday and evening. By sponsoring our programming, you'll reach a community of passionate listeners in an uncluttered audio experience. Visit sponsorship.wnyc.org to learn more.