You’re Live in Three, Two, (one) —>

It was a great weekend of music at Pete Miller’s in Evanston, IL.  The Northwestern University campus and Evanston are in some ways unchanged and some ways very different.  Ten years ago it seemed like I had hundreds of friends and colleagues in and around the area.  Walking along there nowadays seemed like the ground had swallowed up and digested that universe with new people and businesses playing their roles in the recognizable Evanston facade, only to perhaps find the same result in 2022.

2022 sounds so futuristic, doesn’t it?  In remarking about the ease of having a pet cat versus a dog, my friend mentioned that the task is even easier since the litter box is cleaned by a robotic ‘litter’ dispenser.  It seems like not nearly enough sentences are ended with “by the robot” for a year as futuristic sounding as 2012.  Perhaps this is a sign that I’m getting old…

Anyways, I digress.  The band at Pete Miller’s was smokin’ – thanks to the wonderful players Peter Stoltzman, Larry Gray, Joel Spencer, Brent Jordan, and Larry Kohut.  The band also received a great show preview & review of Falling Up from esteemed jazz critic Neil Tesser.

Tomorrow the band is headed down to Chattanooga for a show at the Barking Legs Theater where we’ll play a tribute to Art Blakey’s Moanin’.  We’ll also be doing an in-studio performance at the Chattanooga NPR affiliate WUTC at 3:15 EST which you can stream on their website.  Then on Saturday I’ll be at F Scott’s for my first appearance there as a bandleader.

Hope to see you out there.

-evan

Camp!

It’s been a busy spring here in Nashville, although since we hit 90 degrees yesterday it really seems like an early summer.  Some recent news to share:

This past weekend I had the distinct honor and privilege of playing with The Queen of Soul herself.  It was pretty wild to hear all the famous soul tunes that I’ve played at weddings and events countless times being sung by Aretha herself.  She completely killed it for 90 minutes and had the audience (and the band!) in the palm of her hand.

photo by Beth Lang

 

Yesterday I received some excitement from the mailman (not that excitement, get your mind out of the gutter) – the June issue of Downbeat.  When I first became enthralled with the jazz scene as a teenager I immediately subscribed to Downbeat – in my mind it was THE coverage of the jazz scene.  Today there are lots of great periodicals and websites covering the scene, but it was still thrilling to have an article written about yours truly in a news source that I grew up reading.

Download (PDF, 159KB)

 

Lastly, but perhaps most exciting, is the launch of the Nashville Jazz Workshop’s Summer Jazz Camp.  This coming July will have a week-long hang for area teens who want to play & learn about the great American music.  There’s more information available here and there will be an open house at NJW on Sunday the 13th at 2pm for all interested to come a look and listen at what goes on in the Nashville Jazz Workshop, followed by the monthly jam session at 4pm.  Hope to see you there!

- evan

 

Tenor Players Passing Through

It’s been an exciting 2012 here in Nashville so far.  Monday nights have been a fun hang  since Chester Thompson started leading his trio at the Commodore Grille, and now the Nashville Jazz Orchestra is playing an early set there every Monday at 5:30!  Sportsman’s Grille has continued its Wednesday night jazz series, the Charles Walker Trio has been playing many Tuesday nights, Beegie Adair Trio on Thursdays at F Scotts…it’s been a thrill getting out and hearing so many inspiring players.

As a tenor saxophonist it’s been an especially thrilling winter.  First Bob Mintzer was here as a guest soloist with the Nashville Jazz Orchestra.  The band played about 12 of his charts and Bob sounded ridiculous.  He’s so incredibly expressive, and his tone is amazingly bright and dark at the same time.  I know that sounds strange, but I swear that’s what I observed.  I was very honored (and thrilled!) to play a tune with Mr. Mintzer as a special guest of the NJO after having filled his role in rehearsals prior to his arrival.  Ron Wynn had a nice write up on the concert at ArtNowNashville.com.

After playing ‘My Shining Hour’

Equally exciting, Benny Golson was in town to record some tracks with Gail Davies.  I was very fortunate to get to spend a little time with the great man and pick his brain on his tunes, the jazz scene, and life.  He was totally inspiring.

Sylvan Park After Dark

Interestingly, at the reception a jam session broke out…fiddle, banjo, lap steel, guitars, bass, snare drum, harmonized singing.   The grooves were certainly identifiable as “country” and “western swing,” but I had a revelation while listening to the star-studded jam – this music was jazz.  Everyone took a turn leading a tune and improvisation abounded.  I know there’s lots of arguments on the web lately about what ‘jazz’ is or isn’t and its etymology, as well as the thoughtful notion that jazz should really be called BAM.  I’m not sure if ‘jazz’ or ‘BAM’ would be the right term for what I heard, but it’s safe to say that if Benny Golson is a fan, you’re doing it right.

Checkin' out monster player Chris Scruggs

Next weekend: Cassandra Wilson.  Keep the jazz masters comin’ Nashville!

- evan

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  • Nashville Performer, Composer, & Educator Saxophone • Oboe • Flute • Clarinet
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