Grammy-nominated pianist Orrin Evans comes to World Cafe Live

In the world of jazz, Orrin Evans is synonymous with musical excellence. Born in Trenton but raised in Philadelphia, he is regarded as one the most renowned pianists of his era. 

A producer, composer and performer, Evans attended Rutgers University and studied with the legendary Kenny Barron. He worked as a sideman for Bobby Watson, Ralph Peterson, Duane Eubanks and Lenora Zenzalai-Helm before releasing his debut in 1994 as the leader of The Orrin Evans Trio. He would go on to release several acclaimed albums and was awarded a Pew Fellowship in the Arts in 2010.

For his latest project, he released Walk a Mile in My Shoe, with his ensemble Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band. The Grammy-nominated album features appearances by Bilal, Nicholas Payton, Jesse Fischer, Joanna Pascale, Paul Jost and special guest Lisa Fischer.

Ahead of his highly-anticipated performance at World Cafe Live on February 12, Billy Penn spoke with Evans, 49, about overcoming physical challenges, the jazz scene in Philly and his new album.

Do you recall when you first fell in love with the piano?

Evans: It was around Christmas time when I was 12 and in the sixth grade. I remember that moment when I really got serious about it and that was the time I fell in love with music. But I don’t know when I met music, but it is because it just feels like it’s always been in my life. 

I guess you were destined to be a musician?

Evans: I didn’t have a choice. The night we moved to Philly, the person who gave us the key to the house was William Theodore Carney II, aka Mr. C, who was a great drummer and married to the legendary Trudy Pitts. They were the first people I met, even though they knew me already. When I think about cookouts when I was a teenager, they were filled with the jazz royalty of Philly.

You’ve been open about the obstacles you’ve encountered as a jazz musician in the industry. What keeps you going? 

Evans: If I weren’t raised by the parents that I had I would have honestly quit this music business, but they taught me resilience. They taught me I was special and I had a choice to own my specialness. I was taught that there is a place for me at the table, whether they make it or not, you move on in there. As I’m about to turn 50, for the last 30 years, and raising my kids, that has been my mantra: Whether you make a place for me at that table, I know I belong there. I will continue to try to squeeze my chair in there because the industry doesn’t want to. When you look at my resume, I have a reason to be mad, but the color of my skin doesn’t allow me to do that. So I can talk about it in a certain way, but I have to be careful. I have to be very cautious about the words I use and when I talk about the issues in the industry.

How have you managed to be so successful as an independent jazz artist?

Evans: I’m three times Grammy nominated. But I’ve worked hard with no assistance from any label. I haven’t asked anybody for anything, except for favors from my friends who are musicians. My wife Dawn Warren Evans and I have built this all on our own and I still need to do what artists shouldn’t have to do. Let’s forget artists. I have friends who are 53 years old and are now retiring from working for Verizon FIOS because he’s been doing it for so long. Even with the amount of time that I’ve been into it, I might still end up on the rising star list. Like, how far am I rising? Brother, I’ve been out here doing this for a long time. When will  I get off the rising star list? But even when I say that now, I’m very careful about it, because even though I do believe that, and I stand by it, I also know everybody’s not ready to hear that. 

Another project of yours is “No Cowards in Our Band.” How did you get involved with the production?

Evans: This actually comes from a Frederick Douglass speech and Anthony Knight, a great playwright that I had the pleasure of working with, wrote the play. I was approached to arrange the spirituals for the production that we did at Hudson Hall and it was a beautiful experience, with just piano and all vocalists. I worked on it for about two months and we’re looking to do it at other theaters. It was a wonderful event. That was probably the highlight of 2024 for me. To do something like that is what I’ve always wanted to do, which is to create in different formats and multimedia. It doesn’t always have to be me in a band. It could be me and a poet, me and a singer, a dancer or a visual artist. It was eye-opening to be able to do what I’ve always envisioned and do it with a great cast of characters.

Your latest LP, Walk a Mile in My Shoe, is an excellent body of work where you share for the first time about your disease. What made you decide to share that with your audience?

Evans: I just never really talked about it. I wasn’t able to wear regular shoes until the third grade, and my foot was completely deformed.  I have what Elephant Man had. It’s a neurological thing that affected his face and thank God it didn’t affect mine. It affected my foot. So I had several reconstruction surgeries so I could wear regular shoes. I dealt with all of this growing up and it wasn’t until this year, that I was turning 50 that I was talking about it. It’s a part of why I have an urgency in my music. I can’t wait till next year with what I have going on. I’m not worried about what I’m going to be here, but I am thinking differently about my travels. It’s not easy and there will be a time soon when I may have to get a wheelchair to reach the gate of an airport. So all of those things make me have a different sense of urgency.

On Walk A Mile In My Shoe, you have some amazing collaborations, including another Philly legend, Bilal. How was it to work with him again?

Evans: He’s younger than me, but we’re both Aries. Bilal was singing jazz in Philly and I’ve known Bilal since he was 12 years old. Then when he got to New York, he met Robert Glasper and so many people at New School, and went and recorded his first album which I love. It’s still one of my favorite records.  I’ve just been really happy watching his trajectory and seeing everything that he does as an artist. And as an improvisational artist, I knew Bilal and Jill Scott before a lot of people did. I don’t mean that in a braggadocious way. The scene in Philly allowed them to really develop in front of our faces.

You also collaborated with the legendary vocalist Lisa Fischer on “Overjoyed.” How did you connect with her?

Evans: I actually met her about a year and a half ago. We all know she can sing. That’s beside the point. I went up to her, and I was star-struck. But what stuck with me was her heart and spirit. She could have been a complete asshole and she’s not. Even if she was, we’d all be like, “Oh, she’s so bad.” That’s what I love about her. Like the music is, it is a blessing and something that I’m so happy to be around. But the human being she is adds to it. She brings to every element of what she does.

Lastly, what are you most looking forward to coming back to your World Cafe Live?

Evans: I’m really looking forward to playing. I always have a good time at World Cafe. I can’t wait to play with some of the musicians there and to play with my band. It’s going to be great.

FYI

Jazz Jam with Orrin Evans

The Lounge at World Cafe Live

Wednesday, Feb. 12

Doors: 6 p.m. Show: 8:30 p.m.

Free (reservation required)