Bill Evans

Sax icon Bill Evans and his Soulgrass band come into the Blue Note in Manhattan to perform the US premiere of his new CD, Dragonfly, April 10-14. The show will include special guest appearances by players of Evans' pedigree: Mike Mainieri on vibes, John Medeski on keyboards, and fusion legend Randy Brecker on trumpet.

Bill Evans is a living timeline of American jazz. He is perhaps the only common thread between Miles Davis, Willie Nelson, The Allman Brothers, Warren Haynes, Mick Jagger, John McLaughlin, Medeski, Martin and Wood, the Brecker Brothers, Herbie Hancock and so many others he has toured and recorded with in the jazz, jam, rock and acoustic worlds. Whether he is recounting his experience joining Miles Davis' band in his early 20s or his recent tours in Europe with his own jazz-roots "Soulgrass" creation, his quick wit and bebop sensibilities make him a dynamically clever and deeply insightful musical virtuoso.

Overwhelmingly embraced by European audiences last fall, Dragonfly is Bill's 19th solo album and third with his Soulgrass band, a fiery ensemble that fuses Evans' lineage with American blues, bluegrass, and progressive jazz. The funk rock grooves and vintage soul rhythm section feature singing drummer Josh Dion and outstanding Cameroonian bassist Etienne Mbappe, while the true rock and roll playing of NYC guitar hero Mitch Stein interplays with shredding banjo conceptualist Ryan Cavanaugh, who electrifies and redefines the American folk instrument. Evans plays the role of bandleader with soaring saxophone, keys and backup vocals, losing none of his Davis-era influences as he digs into his complex yet melodic soloing.

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