orrin evans all-star quintet - the red door album release at smoke jazz club, nyc, jun 8, 2023
photography by ©Clara Pereira; text by Filipe Freitas
Pianist and composer Orrin Evans celebrated the upcoming release of his new CD, The Red Door, at the legendary Smoke Jazz Club in Harlem, New York. Joining him for this great jazz date were saxophonist and flutist Gary Thomas, trumpeter Sean Jones (filling in for Nicholas Payton), bassist Robert Hurst, and drummer Marvin ’Smitty’ Smith.
The quintet hit the road with the Evans-penned “Red Door”, whose jubilant main theme was delineated with a simply delicious Afro-Latin vibe before leaning with assurance on the left side of the jazz spectrum. This forceful avant-garde incursion didn’t refrain Thomas from quoting “Round Midnight” and “All the Things You Are”. The later tune was played in full at a later time as it was also included in the album.
A fantastic rendition of “Smoke Rings”, a piece by the late drummer Ralph Peterson (it first appeared on his trio album Triangles with Gerri Allen and Essiet Okon Essiet) was next. This take goes from an introductory Monk-ish chordal work to post-bop advances that swing vividly with a take-no-prisoners Art Blakey-type of vibe. Smith’s drumming was thunderous; Evans, besides making excellent comping choices, soloed with an impressive consistency of ideas.
“Weezy” is a tune so full of hope that the audience got their faces illuminated. Almost like a ritual of gratefulness, the piece was gently caressed by soft piano touches, flute and muted trumpet. After a bravura interpretation of the standard “All the Things You Are”, the set came to an end with a propulsive, swinging number whose density was narrowed to sole bass walkings for a vigorous tenor statement.
After the noxious smoke of Canadian wildfires has invaded New York for a couple of days, people who sought The Smoke were rewarded with a terrific jazz time and an inviting atmosphere. Attending the show, the venerable drummer Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts was one of them.