From a young age, Orrin Evans was nurtured in a household filled with music. His mother, a classical singer, surrounded the youngster with everything from the melodies of Puccini to Sinatra to the pulsating rhythms of Basie and Ellington.The young entrepreneur was recently named by the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER as one of a few “Movers and Shakers” under the age of 30 in the city of Philad...
From a young age, Orrin Evans was nurtured in a household filled with music. His mother, a classical singer, surrounded the youngster with everything from the melodies of Puccini to Sinatra to the pulsating rhythms of Basie and Ellington.
The young entrepreneur was recently named by the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER as one of a few “Movers and Shakers” under the age of 30 in the city of Philadelphia. Not only did he found his own independent record label, IMANI Records, but he also formed a management company, 88 Keys Productions, that he runs with the help of his musical partner and wife, Dawn.
Evans has performed with Donald Byrd, Robin Eubanks, Charles Fambrough, Roy Hargrove, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Grover Washington, Jr., Buster Williams and the Mingus Big Band among others. He’s toured the world, playing festivals such as Seixal Jazz Festival in Portugal and Ochos Rios Jazz Festival in Jamaica.
A PennPat (Pennsylvania Performing Artists on Tour) roster artist, Evans plays and composes highly inventive music. He’s released five well-received recordings on the Criss Cross label as well as two outstanding, self-produced efforts on his own label, Imani.
Evans is keen on the idea that a band that plays together should stay together. That is, that the band he assembles for each recording should remain together to create the live performances of that recording. He’s interested in showing how particular players come together and make music that would change should one of the members change.
Besides touring and recording, Evans is a teacher and musical commentator, having conducted workshops, clinics and master classes both in the U.S. and abroad. He regularly shares his knowledge of the music in classrooms all over the country, from elementary schools to colleges and universities. In addition, concert performances, club appearances and festivals allow him the opportunity to share his music with jazz listeners all over the world. When not on the road, he teaches privately.
Evans endorses Baldwin Piano.
