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Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band: Walk a Mile in My Shoe review – perseverance and Philly pride


Evans’ soulful and communal album explores his health condition with the help of A-list instrumentalists and vocal stars including Bilal and the legendary Lisa Fischer

The vocal standout, however, is Lisa Fischer, an illustrious singer (for the Stones, Tina Turner, Sting and many others) ducking and diving from unnerving falsettos to resonant low-end whispers on Blues in the Night, and gracefully dancing with guest trumpeter Nicholas Payton on Stevie Wonder’s Overjoyed. On Vibe Provider (Mack Avenue), the sleek and skilful Cohen and a fine hard-boppish lineup engagingly cavort through a set of originals and standards – on which the leader’s carefree vivacity marks him out from the retro throng, making 1950s/60s forms sound fresh. With Golden City (Miel Music), the much-lauded Puerto Rican saxophonist/composer Miguel Zenón continues his cinematic jazz travelogues – visiting the evolution of San Francisco here from the gold rush to the 21st century, with a formidable lineup including saxophonist Tim Berne, pianist Matt Mitchell and drummer/composer Dan Weiss.

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