The Story

Philadelphia-bred pianist-composer-bandleader, label owner, and President of the Cape May Jazz Festival Foundation Board, Orrin Evans has made frequent visits to the Exit Zero Jazz Festival, beginning back in 2012 with the Captain Black Big Band w/special guest Nicholas Payton. with a Spring 2020 performance by the late organist Joey DeFrancesco’s Philly Reunion Band. At the Fall 2020 edition he led a special edition quintet featuring drummer Ralph Peterson, then the following Fall appeared with two different ensembles — his Brazilian project Terreno Comun and his Captain Black Big Band. In the Spring of 2022, Evans put together a Philly Jawn on short notice to sub for an ailing Marcus Miller, then in the Fall 2022 he fronted an all-star group of local Philadelphia musicians dubbed Philly Jawn 2. He returned for the Spring 2023 edition with his New Jawn and in Spring of 2024 appeared with Tarbaby, the longstanding cooperative trio featuring bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits.

This time out, Evans will lead his acclaimed 14-17-piece Captain Black Big Band featuring the powerhouse Grammy-winning vocalist Lisa Fischer. A former back-up singer for such stars as Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass, Sting, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, Tina Turner and the Rolling Stones, Fischer’s story was captured in the Oscar-winning documentary 20 Feet from Stardom. Some of her more recent collaborators include Yo-Yo Ma and his Silkroad Ensemble, jazz singer Gregory Porter and classical pianist Lang Lang. 

The 50-year-old Evans, who was featured on the cover of the December 2024 issue of Downbeat, has been recording prolifically since his 1995 debut, The Trio. Since then he has released 30 albums, 17 under his own name, five with the Captain Black Big Band and five with the co-operative trio Tarbaby and in a duo setting with guitarist Kevin Eubanks dubbed the Eubanks Evans Experience (EEE) . 

The Sound

Lisa Fischer and Orrin Evans, whether as a duo or collaborating with The Captain Black Big Band, create an enthralling musical experience that seamlessly blends Fischer's soulful and versatile vocals with Evans' masterful piano artistry, evoking a fusion of genres beyond the traditional boundaries. With the expansive sound from Evan’s Captain Black Big Band, their collaboration is marked by a harmonious interplay, where Fischer's emotive delivery finds a perfect complement in Evans’ innovative arrangements. The result is a dynamic and soul-stirring performance, where each note resonates with depth and passion. Together, they navigate the realms of jazz, soul, and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the listener's soul, showcasing the power their musical union and the magic they create as a collaborative force.