Upstate New York native Park Evans relocated to Minnesota to study classical guitar, and soon found himself among the Twin Cities’ jazz guitar elite, heading his own bands like Parker Paisley and Firebell, and making his presence heard and felt in many other genre crossing ensembles, including the Enormous Quartet, Charlie Devanna, Fonster, Tickle Fight and more. For his third recording of original music, Satori for a Hungry Ghost, he gathered Parker Paisley cohorts Brandon Wozniak (tenor sax), Adam Wozniak (bass), and Pete Hennig (drums), with Greg Schutte handling recording and mixing, and Matthew Zimmerman mastering it all at Wild Sounds Studio. All 8 tracks were composed by Evans, with the finale “Emmanuel Jackson” based in part on the traditional “Oh Come Ye Emmanuel.”
If “satori” refers generally to the Buddhist concept of “enlightenment, ” then Parker Paisley meets expectations for an album that brings to light (and sound) the creative play of both the ensemble and its leader, with each track casting a beam that focuses on one or more aspects of their talent and collaboration. “Annihilation” opens the set on ambient notes, soon moving to the surprise of popping guitar statements that set up Brandon Wozniak’s melodic wanderings. The title track follows with Evans’ own laid-back lyricism and an assertive drum break from Pete Hennig.
“Could You Be Deceived?” mines funky guitar antics with a touch of country jig; Hennig and Adam Wozniak keep busy driving the pulse and saxman Brandon teeters on a playful R&B ledge. “Divas of the Tenor” is a mere 28 seconds of slightly trashy bebop funk – perhaps a joking interlude between takes? Let’s have some more of this! Brandon gets a lot more time to stretch on “Jean Grey,” where bop balladry meets his 21st century musings, with guitar and bass providing a gently simmering commentary; Adam’s bouncy solo serves as agitator for the ensuing discussion among guitar and sax, with a final fade out that suggests a more other-wordly conversation.
“Third Persona” also features Adam, soloing over some ambient guitar effects that evolve into a more direct exploration via guitar, then sax, then ensemble. “What You Saw Before Drowning” reveals Brandon’s more introspective side, weaving around the outline traced by guitar and bass; just when the track seems to settle into a predictable groove, something –someone—shifts the conversation; here it’s Evans interjecting mellow acoustic suggestions, with Adam providing a majestic summation. The set closes with “Emmanuel Jackson,” Park and Brandon using the traditional melody as a hymnal launching point, Hennig providing a sheer backdrop of cymbals.
It’s a very satisfying set, to be celebrated this weekend (Friday, April 13 at 9 pm) at Jazz Central.
Jazz Central is located at 407 Central Av NE in Minneapolis, lower level. More about Park Evans and Parker Paisley at www.myspace.com/parkevans
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