Orrin Evans (born 28 March 1975) is an American jazz pianist. Evans was born in Trenton, New Jersey and raised in Philadelphia.Lutz, Phillip. "Orrin Evans The Instigator." Downbeat 81.11 (2014): 42-45. Print. He attended Rutgers University, and then studied with Kenny Barron. He worked as a sideman for Bobby Watson, Ralph Peterson, Duane Eubanks, and Lenora Zenzalai-Helm, and released his debut as a leader in 1994. He signed with Criss Cross Jazz in 1997, recording prolifically with the label. He was awarded a 2010 Pew Fellowships in the Arts."Orrin Evans: Music: 2010 Grantee," The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage. Accessed May 15, 2013.
In 2017, Evans was named the new pianist in The Bad Plus replacing Ethan Iverson. He departed amicably in 2021 to focus on leading his own ensemble.
Evans is married to vocalist Dawn Warren Evans, who is also his manager.
Discography As leader Year recordedTitleLabelPersonnel/Notes1995The TrioBlack EntertainmentWith Matthew Parrish (bass), Byron Landham (drums); reissued in 2001 as Deja Vu on Imani1996Justin TimeCriss CrossWith John Swana (trumpet), Tim Warfield (tenor sax), Rodney Whitaker (bass), Byron Landham (drums)1997–98Captain BlackCriss CrossWith Sam Newsome (soprano sax), Antonio Hart (alto sax), Ralph Bowen (tenor sax, soprano sax, alto sax), Tim Warfield (tenor sax), Avishai Cohen (bass), Rodney Whitaker (bass), Ralph Peterson (drums)1998Grown Folk BiznessCriss CrossWith Sam Newsome (soprano sax), Ralph Bowen (tenor sax, alto sax), Rodney Whitaker (bass), Ralph Peterson (drums) 1999Listen to the BandCriss CrossWith Duane Eubanks (trumpet), Sam Newsome (soprano sax), Ralph Bowen (tenor sax, alto sax), Reid Anderson (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums)2000?SeedImaniAs Seed, with Mike Boone (bass), Rodney Green (Drums), and Dawn Warren (Vocals)2001Blessed OnesCriss CrossWith Eric Revis (bass), Nasheet Waits and Edgar Bateman (drums)2002Meant to ShinePalmettoWith Eric Revis (bass), Gene Jackson (drums); some tracks with Sam Newsome (soprano sax) added; some tracks with Ralph Bowen (tenor sax, bass clarinet, flute, soprano sax) added2003LuvparkImaniAs Luvpark; with Ralph Bowen (sax), Donald Edwards (drums), J. D. Walter and Dawn Warren (vocals)2004Live At Widener UniversityImaniAs The Band, with J. D. Allen (tenor sax), Sam Newsome (soprano sax), Reid Anderson (bass), and Nasheet Waits (drums)2004Easy NowCriss CrossWith Ralph Bowen (soprano sax, alto sax), Mike Boone and Eric Revis (bass), Byron Landham and Rodney Green (drums)2006?The Trio – Live in Jackson, MississippiImaniTrio, with Madison Rast (bass), Byron Landham (drums); in concert2006TarbabyImaniAs Tarbaby; with Stacy Dillard and J. D. Allen (tenor sax), Eric Revis (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums)2009Faith in ActionPosi-ToneWith Luques Curtis (bass), Nasheet Waits, Rocky Bryant and Gene Jackson (drums)2010?The End of FearPosi-ToneAs Tarbaby; with J. D. Allen (tenor sax), Oliver Lake (alto sax), Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Eric Revis (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums )2010Captain Black Big BandPosi-ToneAs Captain Black Big Band; in concert2010FreedomPosi-ToneWith Larry McKenna (tenor sax), Dwayne Burno (bass), Byron Landham (drums, percussion), Anwar Marshall (drums)2011?Ballad of Sam LangfordHipnoticAs Tarbaby; with Oliver Lake (sax), Ambrose Akinmusire (trumpet), Eric Revis (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums)2011FanonRogueArtAs Tarbaby; with Oliver Lake (alto sax), Marc Ducret (guitar), Eric Revis (bass), Nasheet Waits (drums)2011Mother's TouchPosi-ToneAs Captain Black Big Band2012Flip the ScriptPosi-ToneWith Eric Revis, Ben Wolfe, Alex Claffy and Luques Curtis (bass), Donald Edwards (drums)2013...It Was BeautyCriss CrossWith Eric Revis (bass), Donald Edwards (drums)2014Liberation BluesSmoke SessionsWith Sean Jones, J. D. Allen, Luques Curtis (bass), Bill Stewart (drums); in concert2014The Evolution of OneselfSmoke Sessions"Pop and Jazz Listings and Albums for the Fall Season". The New York Times, September 7, 2015With Christian McBride (bass), Karriem Riggins (drums); two tracks with Marvin Sewell (guitar) added; one track with J. D. Walter (vocals) added2016#knowingishalfthebattleSmoke SessionsSome tracks trio, with Luques Curtis (bass), Mark Whitfield Jr. (drums); Kurt Rosenwinkel and Kevin Eubanks (guitar), Caleb Wheeler Curtis (sax and flute), M'Balia Singley (vocals) are added on some tracks2016PresenceSmoke SessionsWith the Captain Black Big Band; Troy Roberts (tenor sax), Caleb Wheeler Curtis and Todd Bashore (alto sax), John Raymond, Josh Lawrence and Bryan Davids (trumpet), David Gibson, Stafford Hunter and Brent White (trombone), Madison Rast (bass), Anwar Marshall and Jason Brown (drums)2019The Intangible BetweenSmoke SessionsWith the Captain Black Big Band; Troy Roberts (tenor sax), Stacy Dillard (tenor and soprano sax), Immanuel Wilkins (alto and soprano sax), Todd Bashore (flute and alto sax), Caleb Wheeler Curtis (alto sax), Sean Jones, Josh Lawrence and Thomas Marriott (trumpet), David Gibson, Stafford Hunter and Reggie Watkins (trombone), Dylan Reis, Eric Revis, Luques Curtis and Madison Rast (bass), Mark Whitfield Jr., Anwar Marshall and Jason Brown (drums)2021The Magic Of NowSmoke SessionsWith Vicente Archer (bass), Bill Stewart (drums), Immanuel Wilkins (alto sax) 2023The Red DoorSmoke SessionsNicholas Payton (trumpet), Wallace Roney (trumpet), Gary Thomas (tenor sax & flute), Larry McKenna (tenor sax), Robert Hurst (bass), Buster Williams (bass), Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums), Gene Jackson (drums)
References
[ Orrin Evans] at Allmusic
External links Orrin Evans Discography
Live recording of concert with the Bill McHenry Quartet at the Village Vanguard