Mar 26 2022
John-Michael's rock box with musicians Kevin Eubanks and Orrin Evans
John-Michael's guests are world renown musicians Kevin Eubanks and Orrin Evans who have a new musical project called EEE (The Eubanks-Evans Experience.) the debut duo recording by two of jazz's most acclaimed and eclectic artists.Due out March 18, 2022, EEE brings together guitar great Kevin Eubanks with adventurous pianistOrrin Evans for a set that's as wide-ranging and unpredictable as audiences have come toexpect from these two risk-takers. Created in an atmosphere of spontaneity and try-anythingexperimentation, the repertoire veers from gut-rumbling blues to delicate, air impressionism,mixing up on-the-spot originals with funk-jazz deep cuts and classic tunes by jazz masters.Eubanks and Evans share more than their Philly roots - though that's not an aspect that can be discounted, and the city's tension between brotherly love and gritty attitudecourses through the album's veins. Both also bring a wealth of experience to the table,along with a friendship of long standing. Eubanks, middle brother of the well-known jazzfamily, made his name through a series of electrifying releases in the 1980s before spendinga decade and a half as a bandleader for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Since that stintended in 2010, he reemerged as a vital voice on the modern jazz scene leading hisown bands along with resuming his partnership with bassist Dave Holland in the bandPrism. Eubanks is also currently co-host of Fox First Run's hit comedy/game show You Bet Your Life with Jay Leno,which premiered in Fall, 2021 and was recently picked up for Year 2 for the 2022 - 2023 television season.Nominated for a 2018 Grammy Award his Captain Black Big Band, Evans hadbeen splitting his time recently between his own prolific performing career and newlyappointed role as the Artist in Residence of the DC Jazz Festival.While EEE marks the pair's recording debut as a duo, there's an inviting ease and scintillatingchemistry to the meeting of Evans and Eubanks that speaks to the parallel histories as wellas their shared fearlessness. That's reflected in their offbeat choice of material on the album,most of which was decided upon at the spur of the moment - both in studio and onstageat Philadelphia's Chris' Jazz Cafe.The album harkens back to Eubanks' 1983 debut Guitarist with the album's opening track "The Novice Bounce,"beginning the album with a sauntering improvisation which builds into a soulful bounce, rife with momentsof tasteful interplay. The duo continues with a reimagining of the Tom Browne song "Dreamin' of Lovin' You."Departing from the funky upbeat feel of the original, this version is an introspective ballad fully embodying the 'dream' aspect of the title. Evans contributed the heartfelt ballad "Dawn Marie," a tribute to his wifeand creative partner, Dawn Marie Evans.Freedom is a theme that throughout the DNA of this release, and the freedom of two like-minded, and deeply well-versed artists playing in a duo context allows for spontaneous creation of the highest echelon.SPRING 2022 TOUR DATES:3/30: Oakland, CA @ Yoshi's Oaklandhttps://yoshis.com/events/buy-tickets/eubanks-evans-experience/detail3/31: Santa Cruz, CA @ Kuumbwa Jazzhttps://www.kuumbwajaz