Tag: Alan Evans Trio

Alan Evans Trio Provides Black Friday Funk in Buffalo

Walking into Nietzsche’s Saturday, November 29th, you could instantly feel something in the air that was different. One by one, people made their way passed the handlebar-mustached doorman and grabbed a beer with apparent anticipation. Drummer Alan Evans was born and raised in Buffalo, and one thing the city does well is welcome home one of their own. There were several family members and close friends present and that was in addition to the growing fan base that the Alan Evans Trio has quickly established here.

Starting the night, Kid Splendor & the Royal Fortune took to the stage and, ironically, had the fortune of a Royal Family instrument upgrade. Earlier in the day, Kid Splendor drummer Jacob Leckey got a text saying he could use Alan Evans drum kit. Hesitating with disbelief, he almost brought his drums just in case. Lucky for Leckey though, the text was no hoax and he got to take full advantage of the incredible opportunity. As the band opened with their song “A Go Go”, Leckey channeled Evans and commanded the opening groove. Describing the experience, Jacob said, “I wasn’t as concerned that it was Al’s as I was with the fact that it was setup directly in the front of the stage. I have never played a show as a drummer like that and being the main thing people would focus on was new. Adding to it, the guy who normally gives me most of my cues was behind me and made it a bit daunting.” The hurdles went unnoticed by the crowd though as the band’s sound was tight. Once they were a few songs in, the band pulled out a cover of the Neville Brother’s “Fire on the Bayou,” satisfying the longtime funk appreciators of the crowd. Throughout the set, guitarist Mike Hogan and keyboardist Mike Kausner traded solos with a solid foundation laid down by the rest of the band. The addition of the Harbor Horns, a three piece horn section that played with Kid Splendor during their set, added brass accents and a rousing rotating solo on “Smaller the Club (Better the Party).” Kid Splendor closed their set with “Floyd” which was led by the rapid pace of Leckey, still feeding off of the high. The energy of the song capped off a great opening to the night and propelled the crowd right into AE3’s set that shortly followed.

Set List: A Go Go, Chicken Strut, Fire on the Bayou, Mah Na Ma, Hey Pocky Way, Sissy Strut, Smaller the Club (Better the Party), Laminak, Floyd

As Alan, Beau, and Danny made their way through the crowd and up the stairs in the front of the stage, people began filling in and really packing the small club. With the upper levels filled, it really felt like the band was only going to make it out if they satisfied the surrounding group. They took the challenge in stride and easily surpassed all expectations. The set started off blazing right from the get-go, leading with the fast-paced “They Call Me Velvet.” Beau Sasser’s solo on the song stomped on the gas, but Danny Mayer’s answer sent the crowd into orbit. Alan Evans was equally adding to the sound, beating his drums harder than I have ever seen him play. The fact that his kit held up for the entire set was honestly surprising as he was relentless from the beginning. Even with the focus they put forth, you could see the fun these guys were having as it was written all over their faces. After every solo or lead, you could always spot one of them giving a nod to the other as if they were just as excited to hear that as we were.

As the middle of the set approached, the group dove into another highlight of the night on the Hendrix cover of “Ain’t No Tellin,” which really captivated the crowd. Beau Sasser showcased his ability on this one and proved that he should have his own “Beau Knows” marketing campaign for his B-3 prowess. What he did on that solo caused most people to stop dead in their tracks and pay attention to his rapid-fire delivery. As the energy reached a high point, the band thankfully slowed things down with “The Laydown.” Danny Mayer led this song as it began with a slow-rolling Strat solo that was beautifully colored with a muffled wah tone. The slow pace allowed Mayer to float some powerful notes into the night air, leaving room for Evans to accent in between. While they’re only a three-piece, they understand how to strike a perfect balance between each other. The balance of improvisation and structure was explored throughout the night with an almost undetected form of communication between the guys. Wrapping up an incredible night of funk, the guys came out for an encore of the Buddy Miles song “Them Changes.” The song was fitting for the evening and left the crowd with one last high. Mayer’s solo on this one had his Strat screaming with every note being further punctuated by Evans’ play.

At any given point during their set, you really felt as though these guys were somehow able to talk to each other while they played. They pull off of a completely synchronized feel without coming off as rehearsed. It’s pretty obvious why they continue to draw more and more at every show and will continue to with the drive they have. Thankfully for us, Alan is a hometown guy who always sets aside time for a trip home.

Set List: They Call Me Velvet, If You Want My Love > If You Want Me To Stay > If You Want My Love, Thor, I’m Coming Home, Ain’t No Tellin, The Laydown, Nothing to Say, Who Dare Knock, Cosmic Hazel Dust

Encore: Them Changes

Photography by Kyle Hess

December 9, 2013
Buffalo’s Own Alan Evans Returns Home to Nietzsche’s on November 29th

Alan Evans is a true Buffalonian – hard-working, humble, true to himself and fiercely loyal. He recalls growing up in the Queen City saying, “I was just lucky enough to be accepted at a very young age by seasoned musicians when I was coming up. I never felt like I didn’t belong or like I was just some little kid hanging on. That feeling of acceptance really made me feel like I could do anything in life. I’m forever grateful for that.” Fast forward to today and his passion has not only taken him around the world, but continues to lead him to new and exciting ventures. Anyone that’s been a fan over the course of his career knows this and will continue to look his way for anything he contributes to. It’s to nobody’s surprise that when the longstanding Soulive drummer ventured out and started another band, that success would soon follow.

Seemingly overnight, the Alan Evans Trio was born when Alan enlisted the help of Beau Sasser on organ and Danny Mayer on guitar to bring a fresh approach and round out the new outfit. Their sound harkens back to the days of Freddie Hubbard and George Benson, while raising the ante for the next generation. Each of the guys are outstanding musicians in their own right which allowed them to hit the ground running with their first album Drop Hop, released in 2012. They quickly established themselves and followed that up with their sophomore album, Merkaba, the very next year. The organ trio might have historic roots, but these guys are determined to carry that torch and continue to evolve one of music’s simplest arrangements. The subtle interplay of each member’s strengths is unbelievable for the short amount of time they’ve been together. There’s just a natural connection that Al anticipated when he assembled the band, and he couldn’t have been more spot on.

This year in particular though has been a great one for the guys. Not only did they get the chance to host the first live album recording at the Woodstock Sessions, but they also made their first trip overseas as a band. The jaunt to the UK was filled with new experiences, but the overall trip was what really captivated Alan. He explains, “The highlight of the trip has to be the trip itself. I’ve been all over the world many times with Soulive, but there was something really special about getting out of the country for the first time with AE3. It just inspires me to keep pushing forward.”

Even for someone as seasoned as Alan though, the return home is always something special. The Trio is headed to Buffalo Friday, November 29th, for a night at his old stomping grounds. When Nietzsche’s was brought up, Alan Evans said, “One thing you have to love about that venue is that it’s pretty much the same since my days playing there as a teenager.” He goes on about his hometown, “I just love the vibe in Buffalo. It’s just a very unique place in this world of ours.” We’re in for a treat indeed as Alan has always been known to pull out the stops for his Buffalo family. When asked about whether he would be doing anything special, Alan responded with, “I’m starting to write some new tunes for a new AE3 album and we have been rocking some of the new stuff live.”

Alan continues to prove why he should be considered music royalty in the Queen City, and Friday won’t be any different. Get there early, stay late, and take note, because the only time you’ll ever catch him slowing down is when the song calls for it.

November 26, 2013
Woodstock Sessions with Alan Evans Trio: Taking the Concert to the Studio

The opportunity of a lifetime. “No overdubs, no second chances – just a moment captured in time”, says guitarist Danny Mayer. History was made in just 85 minutes of creative passion. The Alan Evans Trio caught lightning in a bottle with what looked like relative ease as the band embarked on the first ever Woodstock Sessions last weekend, where they got the chance to record a live album with thirty exclusive guests at Applehead Recording Studios.

photos by Chris Daniele and Barry Bellamy

Anticipation ran high as something special was surely going to be made that Saturday night. The scenic drive up offered only brief distractions. This was more than just a concert, and overwhelmingly felt that way. There aren’t many things on the same level as your wedding day or the day your child is born, but this was approaching that intensity. You could feel how special this truly was from the second you drove up the dirt access road. It was both making history and laying the groundwork for future sessions at the same time. We weren’t on the actual grounds in Bethel, but maybe there was a reason they were calling this the Woodstock Sessions.

The atmosphere as you arrived felt intimate and inviting, which would set the tone for the evening. The studio itself sat hidden in what appeared to be an old barn, set quite a ways back from the road. Drummer Alan Evans said, “The Woodstock Sessions had a little bit of everything. It felt like a small festival, it felt like a family get together, it felt like a gig. It was really unique.” Thirty guests from all over the country descended upon the property and slowly trickled in one by one. The band, relaxed and easily blending in, greeted everyone as they arrived and began settling in. As the food was cooked and setup, Alan, Danny, and Beau were just hanging out, drinking beer, and shooting the breeze. There might not have been any true family relation, but there was definitely a shared appreciation for creative expression, musical intelligence, and one class-act band that brought everyone together. Studio owner Michael Birnbaum noted, “We wanted to accommodate the intimacy of the relationship between an artist and their fans and have the people be an energetic accelerant for the entire process.”

As dinner wrapped up and the sun slowly began to set, everyone knew that it was time. We slowly funneled into the studio for what was going to be the experience of a lifetime. The inside was in striking contrast to the exterior and drew everyone’s eyes up and down as they stepped through the doors. The wood that covered the interior was warm and rich in color, a winding staircase gave a birds-eye view, and there was nothing but equipment that separated you from the band. As you sat in anticipation, you realized how real this was becoming. Guitarist Danny Mayer, says, “The vibe in the room when we played was almost the same as the barbecue, but with a significant amount of excitement in the air.” It was like an MTV Unplugged session, but imagine sitting on the stage. There were no barriers. The instruction was to just have a good time, nothing else. The band looked around at each other to make sure all were ready to begin. The time was finally here.

photos by Chris Daniele and Barry Bellamy

And just like that, the band exploded into the set with the relentless attack of “They Call Me Velvet”. At any normal show, the guys would just be getting their feet under them, but they hit the ground running on this night. As the set evolved, the band had such command over the feel and sound. At times, they sent you blasting off into the atmosphere with their forceful play and other times they would reel you back down to Earth. The dynamics were simply beautiful. The band was firing on all cylinders, churning out a mix of the tightest funk, the most emotional of blues, and expressed to the jazz degree. They were more locked in and focused than most had ever seen them. Bandleader Alan Evans commanded the tempo like few drummers have the ability to do. His poise and power behind the kit delivered a beat that grabbed your foot and tapped it for you. Ears and souls were satisfied to the fullest. Michael Birnbaum, says, “It was shocking how powerful the recording sounded when we played it back.” At the end of the final song, there was an apex and one last sendoff as Alan used his kick drum in a manner that sounded like fireworks to appropriately close the session.

The expression of “What just hit me?” was plastered over everyone’s face around the room. Music fans of the world, take note, this band and this studio just made a profound discovery that everyone needs to know: this is the way music is supposed to be recorded and the quintessential way for music to be listened to. Music is supposed to have human error and flaws; it’s what keeps things real. There was no auto tuning applied, fixing of solos or patching anywhere. This was raw and done in just one take, as they achieved something as close to flawless as real music is supposed to go. It truly achieved perfection though through the deep expression of the band and the energy that the guests gave right back.

To steal a line from Ralphie, this was “electric sex”. Instead of light glowing through a window though, this was a penetrating sound that was experienced within feet. It hinged on feeling like a religious experience as your soul felt enlightened after experiencing music in a way it had never been experienced before as a fan. The humbleness and appreciation the band expressed was second to none as well. Al might have moved away from his hometown of Buffalo, but The City of Good Neighbors has clearly left a resonating impression that he carries with him today. Seconds after the closing note, each of the guys jumped into deep conversations with the fans who attended on topics ranging from their gear to how the experience felt. This was family now as this group shared something that will bond them together forever.

As some camped out that night and others went back to their hotels, there was a collective high and feeling of privileged unity as we all bore witness to a performance that had never been captured quite like that. The drive home felt as though you were awaking from one of those dreams you clench your eyes to get back into. The reflective solitude of silence after something like that is powerful. Thankfully for everyone that didn’t get the opportunity to share in this, the studio plans on making live attended recording sessions a regular occurrence. And while other bands will surely share something intimate with their fans in future iterations, there’s just something about the first time.

September 5, 2013