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Captain Black Big Band: Captain Black Big Band

By Bruce Lindsay
March 31, 2011
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Captain Black Big Band: Captain Black Big Band

The man behind the Captain Black Big Band is pianist Orrin Evans. The ensemble's eponymous debut recording is a CD of such style, musicality and instrumental power that it seems only right to ensure that Evans gets the credit upfront. This is straight-ahead, swinging, big band music, recorded at three live performances in New York and Philadelphia in early 2010. The tunes may be familiar—Evans has recorded some of them more than once—but the new arrangements ensure that the band has a contemporary sound that draws from and adapts big band history rather than merely borrowing it unchanged.

Of course, it's not all due to Evans: each of the musicians contributes to the Captain Black sound. While Evans is the bandleader and main composer, he's by no means the dominant instrumental voice on the album, taking only one solo, on

Gianluca Renzi

bass, acoustic
b.1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Gianluca Renzi's silky "Here's The Captain." There are plenty of other fine soloists within the group, and Evans makes effective use of their talents. "Jena 6," written and arranged by Evans, features two of the best, in

Neil Podgurski

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Neil Podgurski's metallic, angular piano and

Jaleel Shaw

saxophone, alto
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaleel Shaw's looping and swerving alto work.

Evans' own "Captain Black" is the tune that links most directly to the big bands of the past, with saxophonist

Todd Bashore

saxophone, alto

" data-original-title="" title="">Todd Bashore's arrangement giving it a

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie feel. "Easy Now," another Evans tune this time arranged by bass clarinetist

Todd Marcus

clarinet, bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Todd Marcus, is the most reflective and romantic number. It's loose-limbed and rather melancholy, with

Gene Jackson

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Gene Jackson's drumming charting its ebb and flow while baritone saxophonist Mark Allen and trumpeter

Tatum Greenblatt

trumpet
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Tatum Greenblatt deliver strong and atmospheric solos.

Evans has been part of some fascinating jazz ensembles, most notably Tarbaby, whose End Of Fear (Posi-Tone) was one of 2010's finest releases. Captain Black Big Band is an emphatic demonstration of his ability to lead an innovative and vibrant orchestra that can surprise and entertain in equal measure.

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Track Listing

Art Of War; Here's The Captain; Inheritance; Big Jimmy; Captain Black; Easy Now; Jena 6.

Personnel

Orrin Evans

piano

Orrin Evans: piano; Jim Holton: piano; Neil Podgurski: piano; Luke Brandon: trumpet; Daud EL-Bakara: trumpet; Josh Evans: trumpet; Tatum Greenblatt: trumpet; Leon Jordan Jr.: trumpet; Brian Kilpatrick: trumpet; Curtis Taylor: trumpet; Tim Thompson: trumpet; Jack Walraith: trumpet; Walter White: trumpet; Stafford Hunter: trombone; Frank Lacy: trombone; Joe McDonough: trombon; Ernest Stuart: trombone; Brent White: trombone; Mike Boone: bass (1); Luques Curtis: bass; Mark Przybylowski: bass; Mark Allen: bass clarinet; Todd Marcus: bass clarinet; Donald Edwards: drums (7); Gene Jackson: drums (2, 6); Anwar Marshall: drums; Mark Allen: saxophone; Chelsea Baratz: saxophone; Todd Bashore: saxophone; Ralph Bowen: saxophone; Wade Dean: saxophone: Doug DeHays: saxophone; Wayne Escoffery: saxophone; Tia Fuller: saxophone; Rob Landham: saxophone; Victor North: saxophone; Jaleel Shaw: saxophone; Tim Warfield: saxophone; Darryl Yokley: saxophone.

Album information

Title: Captain Black Big Band | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Posi-Tone Records

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