During his kaleidoscopic quarter-century as a professional jazz musician, pianist Orrin Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who pushes the envelope in all directions.

Never supported by a major label, Evans has ascended to top-of-the-pyramid stature on his instrument, as affirmed by his #1 ranking as “Rising Star Pianist” in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll. Three Grammy nominations for his raucous, risk-friendly Captain Black Big Band stamp his bona fides as a bandleader and composer.

In addition, Evans’ multifarious leader and collaborative projects include the Eubanks Evans Experience (a duo with eminent guitarist Kevin Eubanks); the Brazilian unit Terreno Comum; Evans’ working trio with bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr.; and Tarbaby (a collective trio with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits). Evans is also a dedicated educator and sits on the boards of several jazz and education focused festivals and non-profit organizations.

Musicians:
Orrin Evans – Piano
Matthew Parrish – Acoustic Bass
Byron Landham – Drums

Youtube video: “Autumn Leaves”

The Ostara Project, led by award-winning bassist Jodi Proznick, showcases the strength and creativity of Canadian women in jazz. Ostara artists are top-tier musicians, composers and bandleaders who reflect the geographical, cultural and creative diversity of Canada’s musical landscape. Guest vocalists are invited to join the instrumental group on a per-project basis. The Ostara Project’s self-titled debut album was nominated for a JUNO award in 2023.

For the past two years, the group has been working on The Ancestors’ Project, a two-album project that includes the instrumental album, Roots (Rhea Records, April 2025), the upcoming vocal album, Wings (Rhea Records, spring 2026), along with two performance videos and a mini-documentary. The group has toured extensively across Canada, including a cross-country festival circuit in 2023, and is planning a European tour for 2027.

Musicians:
Rachel Therrien – trumpet/flugelhorn
Claire Devlin – tenor/soprano saxophones
Amanda Tosoff – piano
Jodi Proznick – bass
Valérie Lacombe – drums
Special guest – Kim Zombik – vocals

Youtube video: “Dreams and Olive Trees”

As a leading voice in American popular music, the Grammy Award-winning Nicholas Payton is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, producer, arranger, essayist, and social activist who defies musical and artistic categories. All the while, he honors the tradition of what he terms “postmodern New Orleans music,” as well as the spirit of Black American Music, of which he states, “There are no fields, per se. There are lineages.”

Musicians:
Nicholas Payton
Corey Fonville: drums
Andrew Randazzo: bass

Youtube video: “NPR Tiny Desk”