Bill Evans - Rise Above (2016)

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Label: Vansman Records

Genre: Soulgrass / Jam-band

GAB's Rating: ★★★☆☆

After 10 years of touring and breaking new ground with Bill Evans Soulgrass,  Bill introduced the“Bill Evans Band” in the Fall of 2015 , a hard hitting montage of Jazz, Rock, instrumental and vocals. The “Bill Evans Band” is the next step for Bill. The evolution. Evans conducts the band and drives it with his saxophone as well as singing the lead vocals. With Dave Anderson on Bass and Bryan Baker on Guitar/Vocals, the “Bill Evans Band” is a seamless blend of Jazz, Rock and Groove. “People really relate to this band. We take people on a musical journey of Jazz, Funk, and Rock and Roll. For me, that’s the definition of Jazz- Improvisation and Exploration that people can really FEEL!”  “Bryan Baker on guitar and vocals is a "phenom!," says Evans. “He is the most intense and lyrical guitar player I’ve ever played with. " This combination of musicians is handpicked by Evans who has played with the best musicians in the world throughout his entire career. Put your seat belt on!

In April 2016 the “Bill Evans Band “ toured Europe in support of his latest release “Rise Above.” The band played to sold out venues across Europe.

“Rise Above” is scheduled for release May 26th, 2016 on Vansman Records.

“Rise Above” is Bill’s most accessible release to date (2016). On this, his 24th solo offering, Evans explores rich and haunting vocals from special guest singers, including legend Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, JJ Grey, Anders Osborne, Murali Coryell, and Josh Dion. “This recording has been an epic journey. My vision from the beginning was to record and write with some of my favorite singers and record a different song with each one of them. The goal was to still make a cohesive and solid performance out of all this music. It went far beyond my expectations. Sheer pleasure start to finish,” says Evans.

“Rise Above” is tied together with Evans' pedigree and love of soulful melodies and hard-hitting grooves, as it has been from the very beginning.  In addition to his powerhouse guest vocalists, this recording also features among others: Jake Cinninger ( Umphreys Mcgee), Mike Stern on guitar, as well as, a who’s who among Jazz and Jam Band musicians.

Evans is a world-class saxophonist and producer who made his debut on the international music scene in the 1980s originally with Miles Davis, (at the age of 21 years old- and recorded 6 records with Davis) which led to playing and recording with the likes of John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger, Willie Nelson and many others. With 24 solo albums, Grammy nods, and countless collaborations and tours, Evans has continued to explore a dazzling variety of adventurous musical settings as a pioneering bandleader, consistently winning fans in the worldwide arena. RECENT HIGHLIGHTS include: TOURING AND OR PERFORMING with his own band, the “Bill Evans Band,” Warren Haynes, Robben Ford (Bill Evans Soulgrass meets Blues), Phil Lesh and friends, Stern/Evans Band, Medeski Martin Wood and countless sit- ins with The Allman Brothers band, Umphreys Mcgee, Moe, Blues Traveler, Galactic and many more.

1. Right Lady (feat. JJ Grey, Scott Metzger, Marco Benevento, Joe Russo & Vaneese Thomas)
2. Rise Above (feat. Warren Haynes, Danny Louis, Vaneese Thomas, Josh Dion, Dave Anderson & Mitch Stein)
3. Love Game (feat. Murali Coryell, Mike Stern & Ryan Cavanaugh)
4. Love Is Working Overtime (feat. Gregg Allman, Joe Russo, Scott Metzger, Tim Carbone & Nick Piccininni)
5. Everybody's Lookin' (For Somethin' They're Missing) [feat. Murali Coryell, Etienne Mbappe, Rob Aries & Mitch Stein]
6. Slow Rollin Ride (feat. Anders Osborne, Joe Russo, Marco Benevento & Roger Squitero)
7. Tales of a Shiny Devil (feat. Jake Cinninger, Josh Dion, Ryan Cavanaugh & Tim Carbone)
8. Strange Neighbors (feat. Josh Dion, Mtich Stein, Dave Anderson & Ryan Cavanaugh)
9. Them Changes (feat. Josh Dion, Danny Louis & Mitch Stein)
10. Every Once in a While (Things Got to Give) [feat. Nick Piccininni, Tim Carbone, Josh Dion, Mitch Stein, Murali Coryell, Dave Anderson & Ryan Cavanaugh]

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