The Orrin Evans Trio - Deja Vu (2001)

Déjà Vu is a reissue of a disc originally released in 1995 as The Trio, featuring Orrin Evans on piano, Matthew Parrish on bass, and Byron Landham on drums. Great playing abounds on this early session. Its interest is heightened by the appearance of several pieces that Evans would go on to record on his later Criss Cross albums: "Explain It to Me," "Dorm Life," "Big Jimmy," and Monk's "Rhythm-a-Ning." The opening "I Want to Be Happy," played in a straight-ahead, lilting 3/4, is quite different from the daring treatment the standard would receive five or so years later on Evans' Listen to the Band. Previously unheard Evans originals also appear, such as "Monroe" and "5-4-94," the latter a solo piano feature. The showstopper is an extended, medium-swing reading of Cole Porter's "I Love You." Now that Evans has established himself as a pianist to be reckoned with, Déjà Vu provides a timely look back. © David R. Adler