Biography
Orrin Evans, born in Trenton, New Jersey in 1975, was raised in Philadelphia, where he immersed himself in the city's vibrant jazz scene during the mid-1980s. His early exposure came through accompanying his jazz-loving father to Tuesday night jam sessions at Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus, featuring house bands with pianists like Shirley Scott, Trudy Pitts, and Sid Simmons, who served as de facto mentors alongside drummers like Mickey Roker. Attending Rutgers University, he studied with legendary pianist Kenny Barron and debuted with his first album, Justin Time (Criss Cross), at age 21 in 1994 or 1995. Early sideman work with leaders like Bobby Watson, Branford Marsalis, Ralph Peterson, and Duane Eubanks honed his skills in Philadelphia's sink-or-swim jam sessions and New York scenes.
Evans developed a deeply personal style blending bebop traditions with swinging, blues-infused hard bop, spiritual and avant-garde jazz, and Euro-canon influences, characterized by intuitive spontaneity, raw vigor, and melodic integrity. A fiercely independent artist, he has released over 25 albums as a leader on imprints like Smoke Sessions, Imani Records, Criss Cross, Palmetto, and Posi-Tone, including Grammy-nominated works like Presence (2018) and The Intangible Between with his Captain Black Big Band. He leads projects like Tarbaby (with Eric Revis and Nasheet Waits), the Eubanks Evans Experience (with Kevin Eubanks), and serves as pianist for The Bad Plus, while curating multi-generational ensembles that connect Philadelphia roots with global jazz luminaries.
Beyond performing, Evans is a dedicated educator, having curated jazz programs in Philadelphia public schools via the Kimmel Center, taught at Germantown Friends School, and served on faculties at Litchfield Jazz Camp (since 2013) and Kimmel Center Jazz Camp. Recipient of a 2010 Pew Fellowship and topping DownBeat's 'Rising Star Pianist' in 2018, his legacy emphasizes community-building, risk-taking, and nurturing the next generation in modern jazz.
Fun Facts
- Evans' earliest jazz memories stem from tagging along with his father, a jazz-loving playwright, to Tuesday night jam sessions at Ortlieb’s Jazzhaus as a child.
- He briefly attempted to relocate to New York twice—in 1994 and 1996—but returned to Philadelphia to manage a jazz club and later raise his two sons with wife Dawn Warren.
- Evans turned a Captain Black Big Band recording session for The Intangible Between into a 'family reunion' with a buffet spread for longtime and new collaborators.
- His unreleased Philadelphia project connects sax legend Larry McKenna, the late Wallace Roney, and drummer Gene Jackson, exemplifying his 'village' network approach.
Associated Acts
- The Bad Plus - piano (2018-01-01–2021-03-13)
- Wilsonian’s Grain - original, piano
- Mingus Dynasty
- Mingus Big Band
- Ralph Peterson Quintet
- Will Calhoun Quintet
- Orrin Evans Ortet - eponymous
- Sean Jones Quartet - original, piano
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Kenny Barron - College teacher at Rutgers University (Formal studies) [Early 1990s]
- Shirley Scott - De facto mentor in Philadelphia jam sessions at Ortlieb’s (House band performances) [Mid-1980s to early 1990s]
- Trudy Pitts - De facto mentor in Philadelphia jam sessions (Ortlieb’s sessions) [1980s]
- Sid Simmons - De facto mentor in Philly Rhythm Section at Ortlieb’s (Jam sessions) [1980s-1990s]
- Mickey Roker - De facto mentor in Philadelphia scene (Ortlieb’s house band) [Mid-1980s]
- Bobby Watson - Early bandleader providing tough love (Sideman work) [Early 1990s]
- Ralph Peterson - Early bandleader mentor (Sideman gigs) [Early 1990s]
Key Collaborators
- Vicente Archer - Bassist in multi-generational band (Magic of Now (Smoke Sessions))
- Bill Stewart - Drummer in octet (Magic of Now)
- Immanuel Wilkins - Alto saxophonist, former student (Magic of Now, Kimmel Center Jazz Camp)
- Eric Revis - Bassist in collective trio Tarbaby (20 years) (Multiple Tarbaby albums) [2000s-present]
- Nasheet Waits - Drummer in Tarbaby (Tarbaby albums) [2000s-present]
- Kevin Eubanks - Guitarist in duo Eubanks Evans Experience (Eubanks Evans Experience projects) [Recent]
- Luques Curtis - Bassist in working trio (Trio recordings) [Recent]
- Mark Whitfield Jr. - Drummer in working trio (Trio recordings) [Recent]
- The Bad Plus - Featured pianist in acclaimed trio (Two albums) [Recent]
- Captain Black Big Band - Leader/composer/arranger (Presence, The Intangible Between (Grammy noms)) [2010s-present]
Artists Influenced
- Immanuel Wilkins - Student turned collaborator (Kimmel Center Jazz Camp, Magic of Now) [2010s-2020]
- Brandon Goldberg - Student at Litchfield Jazz Camp (Camp instruction) [2013 or later]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #hard-bop, #jazz, #jazz-fusion
References
Heard on WWOZ
Orrin Evans has been played 4 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.