Gabriel evan orchestra
Another Big, Little Band
A number of years ago, a contemporary played a recording of Dawn on the Desert (Charlie Shavers) for Gabriel, a staple from the overlooked Pre-bop/Bug group John Kirby & his Orchestra. He was blown away by its originality and a deep exploration into the sextet ensued. Many transcriptions later, combined with other early swing, early Calypso, original arrangements of classical music and original compositions, GEO’s repertoire is like no other jazz ensemble in the country.
From Tchaikovsky to Mancini and Chopin to Lecuona, the Gabriel Evan Orchestra takes a whimsical approach to hot jazz, vintage Caribbean and mid century Exotica. GEO recreates the feeling of when the vastness of the musical world shrank in the early-mid 20th century. The ensemble's major influences include John Kirby & his Orchestra, Sidney Bechet, Lecuona Cuban Boys, Lionel Belasco, Duke Ellington, among others.
Global Entry (2021)
Global Entry plays out as an astute and amiable session with a handful of specialmoments.
Jack Bowers – All About Jazz
With the clean ensemble playing and crisp rhythmic approach, this is music of definite charm… “Global Entry” is an unexpected delight with a first-class ensemble providing noteworthy renditions of a most intriguing and surprising repertoire.
Ron Weinstock – Jazz & Blues Review
Some of the middle tracks are the best, including the swift and dynamic “Diane”, where plenty of fun unfolds with their respective talents present in spades, while “Singin’ The Blues” does indeed touch on the blues with plenty of soul embedded in the timeless jazz climate. “Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes” then bops with an undeniable energy that you can’t help but move your body to… At the end, “Effervescent Blues” showcases Kennedy’s fluent piano in the slow swinging atmosphere, and “Rumba Tambah” exits the listen with a charming nod towards Caribbean sounds that the ensemble execute precisely. 8/10
Tom Haugen – Take Effect
Gabriel Evan Orchestra delivers a version of Henry Mancini’s “Lujon” that has a somewhat smooth, relaxed vibe. I feel like I can get lost in the shag carpet and mood lighting. And why not? That’s followed by the seriously cool “Effervescent Blues,” written by Charlie Shavers in 1939, featuring some wonderful stuff on piano. The album then concludes with the Lecuona Cuban Boys’ “Rumba Tambah,” another delightful number from the 1930s, one that will have you smiling and wondering how there could possibly be any despair and suffering in the world. Ah, life is so fleeting, and this music has that sense of brevity, an awareness of it, but looks for joy within that span of time.
Physical copies available now! Download the album https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/gabrielevanorchestra and stream on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Google Play, and more!