Join us on Sunday, February 16, 2025, for Main Stage Session 5 starting at 7:00pm with the Paul Carr Quartet and special guest Billy Pierce; 8:30pm – Ekpe Nkwelle and Cyrus Chestnut; 10:00pm – Orrin Evans, Dwayne Dolphin,  Jeff “Tain” Watts and Chris Potter. (Session 5: 7:00 – 11:30pm)

For the 10:00pm set, Orrin Evans will give a phenomenal performance with Jazz Drummer extraordinaire, Jeff “Tain” Watts, bassist extraordinaire Dwayne Dolphin, and multi-instrumentalist Chris Potter. This super group will be a treat to the senses as they make their debut at our 2025 jazz festival. 

The Main Stage ticketing is divided into Sessions. Each Session is comprised of three power-hitting Acts. Seating is divided into groups which include Premium 4-seater tables, General 6-seater tables and then General theater seating.  ALL GENERAL SEATING TABLES ARE RESERVED FOR VOYAGER PASSPORT HOLDERS, so please purchase your all-access Voyager Passport in advance. You can pick up your Voyager Passports at the Box Office after 3pm on the first day of the festival. All proceeds from the Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival directly support efforts of the Jazz Academy of Music.

About Orrin Evans

 Orrin Evans, a dynamic jazz pianist, has been pushing boundaries since the release of his second album Captain Black in 1998, where he expressed a commitment to exploring wherever the music takes him. This philosophy is evident in his 20th album Magic of Now (2020), recorded live at Smoke Jazz Club. Performing alongside bassist Vicente Archer, drummer Bill Stewart, and saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, Evans’ quartet delivers cutting-edge modern jazz with a sense of cohesion and spontaneity, as if they were long-time collaborators.

Evans’ music spans a wide range of jazz styles, from swinging, blues-infused jazz to avant-garde and European influences. His piano playing is instantly recognizable, sometimes lyrical, sometimes percussive. Over the years, his albums on labels such as Smoke Sessions and Imani Records have demonstrated his ability to deconstruct tunes while maintaining a deep respect for the jazz tradition. His achievements were acknowledged in 2018 when he won DownBeat’s “Rising Star Pianist” award.

Beyond his solo work, Evans has made a mark leading the Grammy-nominated Captain Black Big Band and in collaborations like the Eubanks Evans Experience with guitarist Kevin Eubanks. He remains committed to community, founding the Imani Records label and curating local concert series, blending his entrepreneurial spirit with a deep love for music and collaboration.

Evans has also shared his knowledge of music with others. He curated a weekly jazz curriculum for the Philadelphia public schools. He taught high school students at Germantown friends School. Evans has served on the faculty of the Connecticut Litchfield Jazz Camp since 2013 as well as an Instructor at the Kimmel Center Jazz Camp.

Evans who is learning every day, says: “If someone calls to ask if I have a Brazilian project, I won’t say no. I’ll dive into it, call some great Brazilian musicians and put together a Brazilian project. If someone asks if I have a big band, I’ll educate myself and try to put a big band together. I don’t know how to sit and wait.”