Trumpeter/Bandleader Darren Barrett and Esteemed Guests Pay Tribute to the EVI on ‘Mr. Steiner – The EVI Sessions’ (ALBUM REVIEW)

This is the eleventh release from trumpeter Darren Barrett and one his most important ones, calling attention to synthesis guru Nyle Steiner, credited with the invention of the EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) and its cousin the EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), the latter made popular by the late saxophonist Michael Brecker.  Nyle Steiner played the EVI in several movies including Apocalypse Now, Star Trek, Witness and many others. Other musicians that use the EWI include trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Victor Haskins and the EVI is one of the instruments in the arsenal of Marshall Allen, leader of the Sun Ra Arkestra. Notably, leader John Daversa of The John Daversa Big Band featuring DACA artists won three Grammy Awards last year, with Daversa winning one for  “Best Improvised Solo” on the EVI. Suffice it to say the time has come to recognize these instruments.

Primarily Barrett leads a core quartet that is augmented by various guests on select tracks across the nine, all of which he composed and arranged. The core unit is Santiago Bosch (keyboards, and leader of his own album, Galactic Warrior, also released this week), Daniel Ashkenazy (bass) and Matheo Techer (drums). Three different guitarists join, including Kurt Rosenwinkel on “Deal for Real.” Altoist Kenny Garrett guests on “dB Plus KG” and tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger on “Botnick.” Barrett plays the EVI on all tracks as well as the trumpet on two, piccolo trumpet on one and keyboards on others.

The music primarily reads as fusion in keeping with the concepts of electronics and synthesis. Barrett says, “The EVI for the trumpeter is just another instrument one can add to their arsenal just like the flugelhorn or mutes…not only fun to play, it opens your mind to new things.” In some cases, you’ll think you’re hearing a synthesizer of the keyboard variety when you’re hearing Barrett play the EVI. It is a midi wind controller- a wind instrument capable of controlling any midi synthesizer, with breath control being an important component for expression. Like a trumpet, octaves are achieved through the octave roller with the left hand while notes are played with the right hand, in accordance with trumpet fingerings. To achieve sound, no trumpet buzzing is needed as one simply applies air into the mouthpiece sensor to control volume and brightness. As a polyphonic instrument, it is capable of playing intervals, triads and chords – examples of which can be found on “Mr. Steiner,” “NU Vibrations” and “EVI Theme #1.”

Barrett was honored to have Mark Steiner, nephew of Nyle Steiner, serve as a technical consultant throughout the production stages of this project, helping with EVI issues and programming. This is among the first recordings to showcase the NuEVI, an updated version being produced by Johan Berglund of Berglund Instruments in Sweden. Matthew Traum of Parchman Music referred to by the bandleader as “one of our leaders in the wind controller community,” contributed to the recording as well.

So, delve into some forward-thinking music and new trends and expect to hear primarily fusion. This writer is a little biased toward saxophonists, which offer a nice contrast to the many electronic sounds. Definitely check out the tracks with Garrett and Preminger. And, if nothing else, you know a little bit more about the mysterious EVI and EWI.

 

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