John Evans & Dream

Composer/arranger John Evans has been a master of smooth jazz for some 30 years, since he helped escort veteran saxophonist David Sanborn to RIAA gold with the composition “Creeper.” His previous solo release “Dream,” was an unqualified smash, where it topped the CD Baby sales chart in 2007 and remained in the top 10 of its Smooth Jazz Album chart for more than two years.

Sophomore CD “The Winding Road” on Studio Records LLC, again aligns Evans with his ensemble Dream, and keeps the genre’s fires burning -”if cool to the touch”- with a six-track triptych of gently swaying melodic embers.

Among the set’s most virtuous qualities is its attention to nuance and diversity in the arrangements. Album opener “Easy Love” adds a touch of harmonic vocals - courtesy of Rosana Eckert and Annagrey Labasse - to a pleasingly swaying percussive backdrop, a la playful 1960’s Herb Alpert; while “In A Gentle Way” is full-on radio-ready smooth jazz, calming and genial. Both tracks showcase Larry Spencer on flugelhorn and Ron Jones on soprano sax. Meanwhile, “Love Will Find A Way” features a sonic serenade from Jones and Larry Spencer on trumpet, interacting with one another like teasing inamorata; and “I Was A Fool,” composed by Evans, with lyrics by his wife Sandy, offers a full vocal performance that accompanies a sensual melody line including drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman with Jones on sax. “Tight Squeeze,” a highlight of “The Winding Road,” tosses a bossa nova vibe into the mix, with a Latin-infused arrangement that offers Jones an opportunity to shine on flute, with Spencer on horns. The title track closes the album like a luminescent mid-summer sunset: beautiful, calming and gentle on the senses.

Evans’ “Road” is destined to be traveled again and again. With each journey, listeners are sure to see new sites and hear new sounds. Just exceptional. - Billboard Discoveries

John Evans & Dream are a constant in the smooth jazz music market. Since their album Dream in 2007 they released The Winding Road (2009), Postcard from the Moon (2010) and this year Night Flower.

Keyboardist John Evans is supported on this album by Ron Jones (saxophones), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey Labasse (vocals) and Andy Timmons (guitar). One can say, long time companions.

John has composed and arranged all songs. Sandy Evans has written all lyrics. The opening I Just Can't Get Over You presents the group in best from. Jennifer Perryman interprets the content of the song with an authentic and engaging voice. Ron Jones on tenor sax shows up as excellent accompaniment. Also the arrangement boasts a variety of details.

Soft Summer Breeze reminds me of Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, as if time had stood still. The harmonic chorus of the female singers blends beautifully as one. All I Wanna' Do Is Dance comes as Salsa infected song featuring Annagrey's smoky vocals in a glowing performance.

The instrumental The Fatback Strut shines with a fine horn arrangement in the style of The Tower of Power or Greg Adams' East Bay Soul peppered with nice guitar riffs. The album closes too soon with the dreamy Night Flower. Ron Jones on soprano sax takes the lead, while John Evans adds some atmospheric chords.

Night Flower is an album for the young at heart who want to look back and cannot forget the golden music of the good old time. - Smooth Jazz Daily

JOHN EVANS & DREAM, “The Winding Road”

Composer/arranger John Evans has been a master of smooth jazz for some 30 years, since he helped escort veteran saxophonist David Sanborn to RIAA gold with the composition “Creeper.” His previous solo release “Dream,” was an unqualified smash, where it topped the CD Baby sales chart in 2007 and remained in the top 10 of its Smooth Jazz Album chart for more than two years.

Sophomore CD “The Winding Road” on Studio Records LLC, again aligns Evans with his ensemble Dream, and keeps the genre’s fires burning -”if cool to the touch”- with a six-track triptych of gently swaying melodic embers. Among the set’s most virtuous qualities is its attention to nuance and diversity in the arrangements. Album opener “Easy Love” adds a touch of harmonic vocals - courtesy of Rosana Eckert and Annagrey Labasse - to a pleasingly swaying percussive backdrop, a la playful 1960’s Herb Alpert; while “In A Gentle Way” is full-on radio-ready smooth jazz, calming and genial. Both tracks showcase Larry Spencer on flugelhorn and Ron Jones on soprano sax. Meanwhile, “Love Will Find A Way” features a sonic serenade from Jones and Larry Spencer on trumpet, interacting with one another like teasing inamorata; and “I Was A Fool,” composed by Evans, with lyrics by his wife Sandy, offers a full vocal performance that accompanies a sensual melody line including drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman with Jones on sax. “Tight Squeeze,” a highlight of “The Winding Road,” tosses a bossa nova vibe into the mix, with a Latin-infused arrangement that offers Jones an opportunity to shine on flute, with Spencer on horns. The title track closes the album like a luminescent mid-summer sunset: beautiful, calming and gentle on the senses.

Evans’ “Road” is destined to be traveled again and again. With each journey, listeners are sure to see new sites and hear new sounds. Just exceptional.
- BILLBOARD

JOHN EVANS & DREAM, “The Winding Road”

Composer/arranger John Evans has been a master of smooth jazz for some 30 years, since he helped escort veteran saxophonist David Sanborn to RIAA gold with the composition “Creeper.” His previous solo release “Dream,” was an unqualified smash, where it topped the CD Baby sales chart in 2007 and remained in the top 10 of its Smooth Jazz Album chart for more than two years.

Sophomore CD “The Winding Road” on Studio Records LLC, again aligns Evans with his ensemble Dream, and keeps the genre’s fires burning -”if cool to the touch”- with a six-track triptych of gently swaying melodic embers. Among the set’s most virtuous qualities is its attention to nuance and diversity in the arrangements. Album opener “Easy Love” adds a touch of harmonic vocals - courtesy of Rosana Eckert and Annagrey Labasse - to a pleasingly swaying percussive backdrop, a la playful 1960’s Herb Alpert; while “In A Gentle Way” is full-on radio-ready smooth jazz, calming and genial. Both tracks showcase Larry Spencer on flugelhorn and Ron Jones on soprano sax. Meanwhile, “Love Will Find A Way” features a sonic serenade from Jones and Larry Spencer on trumpet, interacting with one another like teasing inamorata; and “I Was A Fool,” composed by Evans, with lyrics by his wife Sandy, offers a full vocal performance that accompanies a sensual melody line including drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman with Jones on sax. “Tight Squeeze,” a highlight of “The Winding Road,” tosses a bossa nova vibe into the mix, with a Latin-infused arrangement that offers Jones an opportunity to shine on flute, with Spencer on horns. The title track closes the album like a luminescent mid-summer sunset: beautiful, calming and gentle on the senses.

Evans’ “Road” is destined to be traveled again and again. With each journey, listeners are sure to see new sites and hear new sounds. Just exceptional.
- BILLBOARD

While David Sanborn returns with the soon be released album Only Everything to the jazz roots, he was however one of the pioneers of the Smooth Jazz genre in 1979, when John Evans joined David on his album Hideaway. Evans composed and co-penned Creeper with Sanborn. This tune became the single release from the album, which turned into RIAA certified gold.

Recently John has build a state of the art studio, in which he recorded his sophomore album The Winding Road (2009). Keyboardist John Evans is joined on this album by his band Dream, Ron Jones (saxophones & flute), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), John Evans (keyboards), Chuck Rainey (Fender bass), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums & vocals), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey Labasse (vocals).

The Bossa Nova flavored Easy Love allures with Annagrey's and Rosana's humming swing perfectly harmonizing with Larry Spencer on flugelhorn, who adds his jazzy approach.

Love Will Find A Way shines with a brilliant horn arrangement by John Evans, performed by Ron Jones on sax and Larry Spencer on trumpet. Both Larry and Ron are alumni of the famous One O'clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas at Denton.

I Was A Fool is a family collaboration. John Evans composed the song, while his wife Sandy wrote the lyrics. The song is interpreted by drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman accompanied by Ron Jones on sax. Great emotional entertainment.

On In A Gentle Way is Ron Jones (soprano sax) the leading instrumentalist. His performance is multi-faceted, smooth and slow, energetic and impulsive. A great talent of improvisation.

Tight Squeeze is a journey into Latin music. While singer Annagrey and Rosanna set the melodic foundation in their vocal way, improvise Ron Jones (flute) and Larry Spencer on a jazzy bridge.

The album is closed with the title song The Winding Road, a horn driven slow-tempo tune with great space for contemplation.

With his second album The Winding Road John Evans chose his own way to melodic music, always more downtempo and with stronger emphasis on melody than urban rhythm. Perhaps not radio-like but still appealing.

- Smooth Jazz Daily

While David Sanborn returns with the soon be released album Only Everything to the jazz roots, he was however one of the pioneers of the Smooth Jazz genre in 1979, when John Evans joined David on his album Hideaway. Evans composed and co-penned Creeper with Sanborn. This tune became the single release from the album, which turned into RIAA certified gold.

Recently John has build a state of the art studio, in which he recorded his sophomore album The Winding Road (2009). Keyboardist John Evans is joined on this album by his band Dream, Ron Jones (saxophones & flute), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), John Evans (keyboards), Chuck Rainey (Fender bass), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums & vocals), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey Labasse (vocals).

The Bossa Nova flavored Easy Love allures with Annagrey's and Rosana's humming swing perfectly harmonizing with Larry Spencer on flugelhorn, who adds his jazzy approach.

Love Will Find A Way shines with a brilliant horn arrangement by John Evans, performed by Ron Jones on sax and Larry Spencer on trumpet. Both Larry and Ron are alumni of the famous One O'clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas at Denton.

I Was A Fool is a family collaboration. John Evans composed the song, while his wife Sandy wrote the lyrics. The song is interpreted by drummer Mike Collier and Jennifer Perryman accompanied by Ron Jones on sax. Great emotional entertainment.

On In A Gentle Way is Ron Jones (soprano sax) the leading instrumentalist. His performance is multi-faceted, smooth and slow, energetic and impulsive. A great talent of improvisation.

Tight Squeeze is a journey into Latin music. While singer Annagrey and Rosanna set the melodic foundation in their vocal way, improvise Ron Jones (flute) and Larry Spencer on a jazzy bridge.

The album is closed with the title song The Winding Road, a horn driven slow-tempo tune with great space for contemplation.

With his second album The Winding Road John Evans chose his own way to melodic music, always more downtempo and with stronger emphasis on melody than urban rhythm. Perhaps not radio-like but still appealing.

- Smooth Jazz Daily