Saxophonist Composer Educator
Baritone saxophonist Adison Evans returns with her second release as a leader
Meridian, due out on July 6, 2018. After paying tribute to her musical heroes on 2016’s
genre-bending debut Hero, Evans’ own compositions and musical prowess take center
stage on Meridian over the course of dynamic tracks that are at once lively and
pensive. Inspired by the Tuscan countryside Evans considers a second home,
Meridian can be considered her love letter to nature.
To celebrate the release of Meridian, Evans will be performing with her band at Birdland Jazz
Club in New York City on September 2 at 6:00 PM. On April 27 and 28th, Evans will be
presenting selections from Meridian at The Velvet Note in Alpharetta, Georgia at 7:30 and 9:30
PM.
Joining Evans (who in addition to baritone sax offers her talents on bass clarinet and
flute) is a stellar line-up of musicians including saxophonist Troy Roberts, who shares
writing credits with Evans on four tracks, trumpeter Matthew Jodrell, pianist Silvano
Monasterios, bassist Joseph Lepore, drummer Roberto Giaquinto and on select
tracks percussionist Jeremy Smith and clarinetist Vasko Dukovski. Mixed by Rozhan
Razman and mastered by Dave Darlington, the music heard on this aptly titled
sophomore album is inspired by the feeling one experiences whilst standing alone in
nature, breathing in fresh air, feasting the eyes on wonders of the earth, reflecting, and
recharging from the chaotic world we live in.
In 2014, Evans brought two and a half very busy years of touring with both Beyoncé and
Jay Z to a close in Paris. Upon doing so, she realized that the bustling, chaotic energy of
New York City did not present the most apropos return destination for her. In the interest
of wanting to be able to speak another language fluently, Evans made the brave
decision to move to Asciano, a small countryside village atop a hill outside of Siena in
Tuscany.
Upon arrival, Evans opened the front door of the farmhouse she had retreated to, looked
out among the eternally rolling hills peeking through the early morning fog, and taking a
breath of fresh air, felt as though she had walked into a dream. “I knew I was exactly
where I needed to be”, explains the 27-year-old Juilliard graduate.
Album opener “Meridian” is a brief yet pensive piece, which conveys the power of strong
melodies, particularly when they are repeated and developed. For Evans, simple and
effective melodies like this create cohesiveness and for her, a particular sense of
meaningfulness.
“It is an opening statement to the album that focuses on the connection of the group as a
whole, and achieves energy and depth through dynamics, sound, and nuance. This song
is a loving reminder that we are all connected, to the earth and to each other.”
Track 7, “Monkey Mind” is a composition that reflects upon the incessant chatter that can
so often occupy our brains. The middle section of the piece then opens up to display a
moment of clarity and resolve, only to be greeted one more time with the ostinato bass
pattern and driving drums in which our monkey minds activate once again.
“Komorebi” continues to ponder upon that feeling one gets whilst standing alone in nature,
simply being. “Komorebi” is a Japanese word that does not directly translate to English, but is
best described as the way sunlight filters through leaves of trees. Monasterios and
Roberts take such beautiful, lyrical solos that float the listener through the first half of the
piece. The band as a whole brings this piece to life by shaping the different sections of
the song to create a wave effect; similar to trees swaying in the wind. “This song is really
like a sunlit adventure through nature.”
“Owl People” is a quirky tune that Evans co-wrote with Roberts. With the bass line and
melody for the first section of this piece drawing inspiration from John Scofield, Roberts
then took this opening section and created a contrasting bridge.
“Troy and I wrote the song first and we wanted to match a quirky and mysterious tune
with a similar title. We each came up with a list of keywords and put them together…
Owl People! Who these owl people are and what they are like, we like to leave up to
your imagination as the listener.”
Meridian reveals a new side to the visionary instrumentalist; one that displays her
appreciation for nature, her surroundings and most importantly her connection to these
elements.
“My compositions and the way that I play are inspired by the way the grass feels
beneath our bare feet, the way the sunlight filters through leaves of the trees, the energy
in which the wind blows, the amount of excitement and uncontrollable laughter I experience
whilst jumping into the Mediterranean sea.”