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Step Tempest reviews Orrin Evans “Flip the Script”…

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Pianist-composer Orrin Evans makes music that can be confrontational, hard-edged, and vigorous yet has a melodic side that, like Charles Mingus, allows his pieces to go in many and varied directions.  Evans has released a series of CDs on Posi-Tone Records that displays his many talents, from the forceful Captain Black Big Band to the trenchant sounds of Tar Baby (with the dynamic rhythm section of bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits) to his celebration of Philadelphia on “Freedom” to his tribute to saxophonist Bobby Watson on “Faith in Action.”  His new CD, “Flip The Script“, leans more towards the aggressive (in a good sense) nature of Tar Baby, thanks (in part) to the work of bassist Ben Wolfe and drummer Donald Edwards.  Evans, to me, is a 21st Century Jaki Byard, someone who knows his history, understands the roots of  jazz and is not a slave to tradition.  At times, I hear the influence of Bud Powell in the forward motion of his solos (especially on the faster songs.)  And, on ballads, such as “Someday My Prince Will Come“, there is a “painterly” touch to his delicate phrases, a sensitivity that embraces the quiet side.

Like Byard, all music is fair game to Evans.  There is an elegiac solo piano reading of “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)”, the theme of “Soul Train” composed by the hit-making machine of Gamble & Huff.  Although there is nothing in the notes, this bluesy and touching piece has to be a dedication to the late Don Cornelius.  The Trio dances through a hard-bop adaptation of Luther Vandross’s “A Brand New Day“, with Wolfe’s furious “walking” bass and Edward’s percussive barrage driving the pianist forward.  The title track barrels forward with Evans matching the intensity level of the rhythm section while creating memorable melodic lines.  “Big Small” is an original blues tune, thick piano chords and short melodic phrases over the rock-solid bass lines and Edward’s fine drum work (he sounds as if he’s talking back to the piano during Evans’ solo.)

Flip The Script” might just refer to a concept in which a person gives equal weight to the good and bad things in his life and chooses to take a positive attitude.  Not easy for a musician to make his or her way through the world yet there is so much creativity to be found, not only in the world of jazz but also in classical, hip hop and folk.  Orrin Evans creates music that can make you dance, make you sit back and get lost in the quiet melodies; it should make you see that there are so many possibilities if you allow your creativity to flow.