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Ballad of Sam Langford

Tarbaby

Dance of the Evil Toys

Biography

This trio co-led by pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits is dubbed Tarbaby, not as a political statement, but as a metaphor for an all too common cliche, which the group sternly rejects. The initial trio has been collaborating for 20 years. Their connection has been documented on four recordings, with a new release coming out in 2020. Tarbaby embodies the notion of Jazz as a continuum. With that, the group pays homage to the great body of work in the Jazz idiom as well as tackling compositions by some of the great, albeit lesser-known composers of the music. In addition, each member contributes original compositions to the bands' quite varied book. "A fine and provocative post-bop unit," says The New York Times, "TARBABY does what it wants." The jazz combo earns its prerogative with an impeccable pedigree. Pianist Orrin Evans is a "poised artist with . . . ideas at his command" (NY Times). Drummer Nasheet Waits, son of jazz legend Freddie Waits, is a key member of Jason Moran's Bandwagon. Bassist Eric Revis, a longtime Branford Marsalis collaborator, "stretches the jazz fabric without ripping it apart" (Jazz Times). Saxophonist Oliver Lake is an elder statesman of the jazz avant-garde. TARBABY absorbs everything from Thelonious Monk and Charles Mingus to John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman, sending it all back in torrents of molten musicianship.