Review of “Walk a Mile in My Shoe” – Perseverance and Philly Pride

“This record is me opening the door into what I’ve lived with for years,” says Philadelphia-raised pianist and composer Orrin Evans about his Captain Black Big Band’s fifth release, Walk a Mile in My Shoe. Evans, 49, acknowledges his neurofibromatosis, a condition that, in his case, affects his left foot and has impacted his mobility from birth. Despite these challenging origins, this vocal-dominated tracklist is even more soulfully spirited than usual for this earthy band.

Evans sees walking as a symbol of perseverance and pride, especially in Philadelphia, the city where much of his significant walking has taken place. A diverse cast of the city’s vocal stars participates, including neo-soul singer Bilal, jazz vocalist Joanna Pascale, and blues artist Paul Jost, alongside the band’s top local instrumentalists. The vocal standout is Lisa Fischer, an illustrious singer known for working with the Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, and Sting, who showcases her impressive range on Blues in the Night and gracefully dances with guest trumpeter Nicholas Payton on Stevie Wonder’s Overjoyed.

On Dislocation Blues, Jost’s lamenting lines weave over Evans’ and organist Jesse Fischer’s crisply swapped blues fills before the band joins in forcefully. Payton’s muted trumpet beautifully complements Bilal’s poignant delivery on All That I Am. The band’s call-and-response exchanges in that song, and remarkable solos by Evans and alto saxophonist Todd Bashore on former band member John Raymond’s evocative Hymn, are truly sublime. While some jazz purists might feel there are too many vocals for their liking, these elements don’t overshadow the band’s improvisational and arranging skills.

Emmet Cohen’s pandemic video series Live from Emmet’s Place catapulted the young New York pianist into the jazz spotlight. On his album Vibe Provider (Mack Avenue), Cohen and a talented lineup bring a fresh take to originals and standards, energizing the 1950s/60s forms with his vivacious and carefree style.

Miguel Zenón, the acclaimed Puerto Rican saxophonist and composer, continues his cinematic jazz explorations with Golden City (Miel Music). This album traces San Francisco’s evolution from the gold rush era to the present day. Zenón is joined by a stellar lineup, including saxophonist Tim Berne, pianist Matt Mitchell, and drummer/composer Dan Weiss.

Another notable release is Louis Stewart & Jim Hall‘s The Dublin Concert (Livia Records), a previously unreleased 1982 duo performance featuring American guitar legend Jim Hall and Ireland’s equally talented Stewart. The album captures enthralling solos and interplay, especially on tracks like But Beautiful and John Lewis’s 2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West.