Evan Cobb Jazz » Jazz

Jazz Jam Sessions in Nashville

evan — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:50:01 +0000

So unfortunately Cafe CoCo’s cancellation of live music on their stage has left Nashville’s only weekly jazz jam session homeless for the time being. I would very much like to continue the weekly session, but obviously need to find a new venue. I’ll keep you updated on the status as I try to figure it out. Please let me know if you have any thoughts about the jazz jam’s continuation (or discontinuation) and if you have any ideas about a new location.

- evan

Download the Cobb’s Mob! Show of 8.30.09

evan — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:52:23 +0000

Good times were had at Cafe CoCo this past Sunday night. The band played well and had a ball, as did the audience. If you didn’t make it out and would like to hear some of it, I’ve put most of the show up for a free download . The password is ‘coco’, but act fast as the mp3s will only be available for one week. I’ve also posted a solo clip in the setlist below, as well as links to the fine players’ personal projects.

Setlist:

1. Skeeter ‘Da - EC

2. Red Cross – Charlie Parker, arr by EC

Download audio file (red-cross-solo-edit-83009.mp3)

3. A Love That Lasts – EC

4. Marie Antoinette – Wayne Shorter

5. Crescent City Ditty – EC

6. Autumn Leaves w/ Denis Solee – Joseph Kosma, Johnny Mercer

7. Triste w/ Denis Solee – Antonio Carlos Jobim

8. Catch 22.5 – Jonathan Epley

9. Caravan – Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol arr. by Freddie Hubbard

Next show for the band is Thursday September 10th at the Vanderbilt Commons, also for free! Be sure to come say hello.

- evan

For Eric and Susanne

evan — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:34:53 +0000

My friends Susanne and Eric, one time high school sweethearts, are getting married today.

Eric and I played in high school jazz band together, among many other musical endeavors we shared.

RHS Jazz Band 1998 – Eric with the alto and yellow tie, EC with the tenor and blue tie

I remember vividly how happy Eric and Susanne were as prom dates a decade ago, and seeing them again this weekend I’ve noticed that same spark.

: Susanne and Eric true to form

For their wedding, I wrote Eric and Susanne a song that attempts to embody the feelings they shared then and how they’ve progressed to today.

A Love That Lasts

Download audio file (a-love-that-lasts-melody.mp3)

Congrats, guys.

- evan

Gigs the Weekend of June 6 and 7

evan — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:05:58 +0000

I’ve got a couple of gigs going on this weekend that I want to tell you about. Saturday night I’ll be playing with the Justin Conn Band down at The Pond in Franklin. If the show is anything like last night’s rehearsal, it will groove hard and be a fun time. Starts at 9pm, only $5.

If you’re looking for a place to rid yourself of a Sunday morning hangover, come out to the Green Hills Whole Foods where I’ll be playing duets with Jonathan Epley from 11 – 1.

And last but not least, my quintet Cobb’s Mob! will be performing at Cafe CoCo once again at 8pm this Sunday night. I’m excited about the lineup and the tunes we’ve got prepared. As always, it’s completely free, so I hope that you can come out and support jazz in Nashville. The quintet will feature:

Oscar Utterstrom, trombone

Jonathan Epley, guitar

Mike Rinne, bass

John Alvey, drums

see ya at the gig

- evan

Cobb’s Mob! This Sunday at Cafe CoCo

evan — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:57:36 +0000

The Evan Cobb Quintet: Cobb’s Mob!

Sunday March 29th at Cafe CoCo

two sets of originals and standards starting at 8pm. Free!

Featuring:

EC, woodwinds

Joe Gross, trumpet

Jonathan Epley, guitar

Russell Wright, bass

John Alvey, drums

An Exciting Evening of Music and Art

evan — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:21:24 +0000

It is with great pleasure that I tell you about an upcoming evening of music and art which I am honored to be a part of.

Gallery One of Nashville is to present a chamber music recital on the 11th of March, 2009, at 7pm. The recital will feature violinist Sean Neukom, cellist Alicia Storin, and Oboist Evan Cobb. The design of the program is to highlight employment of color and texture in music. First on the program is Sonata for Violin and Cello by Maurice Ravel. While this work utilizes the typical subtlety and contour of Ravel, it also hinges on the use of dissonance, vivacious rhythmic patterns, and Gypsy bravura found throughout the composer’s later works. Second, Mr. Neukom will parry with the virtuosic gauntlet of Eugène Ysaÿe’s Solo Sonata No. 1, Op. 27. Finally, Mr. Cobb will join the duo for a world premiere of Trio for Violin, Cello, and Oboe commissioned from Nashville composer Alyssa Weinberg, sure to be a stunning conclusion to a colorful recital. During the recital, artist Lori-Gene will lend her talent to the evening by capturing the performers on canvas. The recital is free and open to the public and is suitable for children, adults, amateur, and professional musicians alike.

After the recital, I’ll be headed to Windows Off the Cumberland where I’m playing in a jazz quartet led by the fine saxophonist and head of MTSU’s jazz department, Don Aliquo.

- evan

Monk’s Music In Nashville

evan — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:45:09 +0000

Last night I had the pleasure of playing in another ensemble at the Nashville Jazz Workshop. The group was a septet dedicated to the music of Thelonious Sphere Monk. We performed six of his tunes, including two which were previously unknown to me: Four In One and Little Rootie Tootie.

Evan Cobb and Denis Solee

The septet featured some original arrangements and the alto saxophone playing of Denis Solee, as well as the bass playing of the Workshop’s co-owner Roger Spencer. I’ve posted some personal playing highlights below, with yours truly on the tenor saxophone. I hope that you enjoy listening.

EC and Roger Spencer

Epistrophy

Download audio file (epistrophy-solo-edit.mp3)

‘Round Midnight

Download audio file (round-midnight-edit.mp3)

Bright Mississippi

Download audio file (bright-mississippi-solo-edit.mp3)

- evan

Audio Clips From Sunday Night

evan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:47:14 +0000

Fun times were had this past Sunday night at Café Coco. I’ve posted a couple of clips from the Coltrane Tribute Ensemble below. Please enjoy them and let me know what you think!

The Kyle Burnham Jazz Quintet

Jason Dumars, soprano sax

EC, tenor sax

Matt Berry, guitar

Todd Parks, bass

Kyle Burnham, drums

Pursuance (head + tenor solo)

Download audio file (pursuance-headsolo.mp3)

Impressions (tenor solo)

Download audio file (impressions-solo-only.mp3)

Resolution (head + tenor solo)

Download audio file (resolution-solo-edit.mp3)

- evan

A New Saxophone Player In Nashville

evan — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:35:12 +0000

With the sudden onset of October, I realized that my summer is over and Nashville has been my home for almost a month now. So far I’ve really enjoyed acclimating to Music City – there are tons of hip areas (much in walking distance), amazing weather, and the people have been warm and receptive. It seems like the majority of folks that I have met here are not actually from Nashville or the Tennessee area at all, but are instead transplants like me attracted to the music scene.

The music scene itself has been quite interesting to me so far. Despite what I’ve been led to think about the massive country music industry down here, I’ve actually seen very little of that around, save for the tourist area of downtown. In fact, most of the musicians I have met tend to laugh off the notion of this being a “country music town,” although that is surely related to the fact that most of the musicians I am meeting are jazz and classical players. Regardless, I have seen great music performed by the Nashville Jazz Workshop, the Nashville Symphony, and even got to the famed Ryman Auditorium to see Orchestra Nashville with Trey Anastasio as featured guest. I’m sure that my path will cross into the country scene, as well as the commercial bar scene (tons of cover bands), but for now I’m happy to listen to what’s around me.

As for my own playing, I’ve been jumping around town as much as possible to find jam sessions and meet new folks. I have been fortunate to hang with many of Nashville’s finer musicians, and have some excellent leads on both the saxophone and the oboe. If I have discerned correctly, many of the cats in Nashville’s jazz scene also comprise the studio players and touring bands for some major acts. Keep your eyes peeled as some dates on my calendar page should start popping up.

Who should I start listening to in country and popular music?

Time to get back into the woodshed.

- evan