Bill Evans Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush live at 41st German Jazzfestival Frankfurt 2010

Bill Evans | ts, ss
Ryan Cavanaugh | banjo
Mitch Stein | g
Mark Egan | el-b
Josh Dion | dr, voc
Sam Bush | mandolin, voc

recorded live at HR Sendesaal Frankfurt, October 30, 2010

1. Celtic Junction
2. Sweet Tea
3. Introduction of the Band
4. Snap Dragon
5. Georgia
6. Katy Hill (Bill Monroe)
7. Same Ol´ River (Sam Bush)
8. Ode To The Working Man
9. Feel (Josh Dion)

Throughout his 20-year career as a solo artist, multi Grammy nominated saxophonist Bill Evans has explored a variety of musical settings that go well beyond the confines of traditional jazz, including hip-hop, fusion, reggae, Brazilian and slamming funk. Evans steps into more adventurous territory on Soulgrass, blending jazz, funk and roots music into a seamless and wholly unique hybrid of quintessentially American styles.  His daring collaboration with Bela Fleck and Nashville session aces Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan and Jerry Douglas on "Soulgrass" is Bill's latest exploration in an ever-evolving career. More currently, Bill finished his new and latest CD titled "The other side of something" (released on Intuition) featuring, once again, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Sam Bush, Pat Bergeson, plus the addition of musicians like Dennis Chambers, Richard Bona, and his current working band of Chris Howes, Joel Rosenblatt and Ryan cavanaugh, etc. "The other side of Something" is the next step after "Soulgrass".

CTI All Star Band feat. Curtis Stigers live in Burghausen 2010

Hubert Laws (fl), Brian Lynch (tp, flh),
Bob Malach (ts), Russell Malone (g),
Niels Lan Doky (p), Mark Egan (b),
Jeff „Tain“ Watts (dr), Airto Moreira (perc),
Curtis Stigers (voc, ts)
41th International Jazzweek Burghausen 2010

1. Red Clay
2. Bimbe Blue
3. Road Song
4. Misturada
5. Sophisticated Lady/ Corcovado
6. Sugar
7. First Light
8. That´s All Right
9. You´ve Got The Fever
10. All The Things You Are
11. Jealous Guy
12. Billie´s Bounce
13. All Blues

After the European tour last Summer, the CTI All Stars are back on the road under the aegis of producer Creed Taylor. The line-up of the CTI 2010 Band includes trumpeterand Brian Lynch replacing Randy Brecker, while Bob Malach takes the sax chair instead of Bill Evans. Curtis Stigers, the great jazz vocalist who also happens to be an excellent saxophonist, is the new "special guest," replacing Flora Purim.

CTI All Stars live in Montreux 2009

Randy Brecker, trumpet
Hubert Laws, flute
Bill Evans, tenor sax
Todd Bashore, alto sax
Russell Malone, guitar
Niels Lan Doky, piano
Mark Egan, bass
Jeff Tain Watts, dums
Airto Moreira, percussion
Flora Purim, vocals

recorded live at Miles Davis Hall, Montreux, July 7, 2009

1. Misturada (A.Moreira)
2. Mr. Clean (W.Irvine)
3. Airto Moreira Solo (A.Moreira)

CTI stands for Creed Taylor Incorporated, better known as CTI Records, the famous jazz/fusion record label. Creed Taylor will probably not be known to everyone. However, since the Grammy success of Getz/Gilberto in 1963, Creed Taylor has been one of the few people whose songs many people can hear in their dreams. Not surprising, given his great accomplishments as the producer for John Coltrane, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard and many others. This hints at great musical quality that under the direction of Creed Taylor himself finds its expression in the CTI All Star Band. He constantly reforms the band for recordings and the performance of special material written specifically for his line-up. Only the world's best are considered and that delivers exceptional combinations.

WDR Big Band feat. Bill Evans & Dave Weckl live at 30th Leverkusener Jazztage 2009

Bill Evans, Soprano and Tenor Saxophones
Dave Weckl, Drums
Mark Egan, E-Bass
WDR Big Band Köln
Michael Abene, conductor and arranger

recorded live at Forum/ Leverkusen during 30th Leverkusener Jazztage November 2009

1. Small Town Jack
Soloists: Paul Shigihara, gt, Bill Evans, ss
2. Soulbop
Soloists: Ludwig Nuss, tb, Bill Evans, ss
3. Let´s Pretend
Soloists: Frank Chastenier, p; Bill Evans, ss
4. Van´s Joint
Soloists: Heiner Wiberny, as; Frank Chastenier, hammond B3; Bill Evans, ts
5. Sweet Tea
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts; Dave Weckl, dr; Bill Evans, ss
6. Soulgrass
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Paul Shigihara, gt; Dave Weckl, dr
7. Introduction of the band by Michael Abene
8. Rattletrap
Soloists: Mark Egan, b; Bill Evans, ts; Paul Heller, ts; Olivier Peters, EWI; Paul Shigihara, gt; Dave Weckl, dr

Throughout his celebrated career, Bill Evans has explored a wide range of musical idioms, from straight ahead jazz to hip-hop, fusion, funk, soul, pop and bluegrass.
But on Vans Joint, he treads into some exciting new territory for the first time.
This triumphant collaboration between the veteran saxophonist-composer-bandleader and the 20-piece WDR Big Band Cologne is a match made in heaven. Recorded live in concert in Germany, this powerhouse offering features Evans with the dream rhythm tandem of electric bassist Mark Egan and drummer extraordinaire Dave Weckl fueling the well-oiled machine that is the WDR Big Band, under the direction of conductor-arranger Michael Abene. The results are exhilarating and even surprising to the saxophonist himself. “For me, to hear my charts with a big band just blew my mind,” says Evans. “Michael did such as great job. It was magical the way he enriched the songs, how he created colors and new harmonies in different sections and just took the music one step further. So it was a real trip to be involved in this project, and a lot of fun too.” Together they released the live album "Van´s Joint" on BHM Music in February 2009.