Smooth Jazz Therapy: Evan Knight

Saxophonist Evan Knight may only be aged 22 but his debut CD ‘Reminiscence’ provides an exciting glimpse of a talent that belies his years. This independently produced collection of nine original compositions is a superb showcase for his writing, arranging and performing skills and has already elicited positive comment from none other than Kirk Whalum. Even though Knight is at the beginning of what promises to be an outstanding career the album speaks volumes for the dedication he has for his music and, in part, is a commentary on the distance he has come since, at age 11, he first picked up a saxophone.

Knight hails from Syracuse in upstate New York and the fast track route he has taken in perfecting his musical art is due in no small measure to solid support from some key local musicians. He cites music instructor David Frateschi, saxophone clinician Gerald Santy and Benny Mardones of the Syracuse-based band The Hurricanes (with whom Knight played for four years) as being particularly influential and given his musical heroes range from Michael Jackson to David Sanborn and Gerald Albright it was always likely that Knight would be attracted to R & B tinged contemporary jazz. By age 16 he was already fronting The Evan Knight Band and playing sax with the group After FX that has since become one of Central New York’s best known funk, soul and R&B units. His collaborators on ‘Reminiscence’ share those same upstate New York roots and help engender the live band sound that Knight sought when recording the album. Darneal Jackson on drums, Bernie Reid on bass and keyboard player Hiram Swain all make significant contributions and from time to time are supplemented by Andy Rudy and Max McKee.

‘Reminiscence’ opens up with the sophisticated swagger of ‘Cool Breeze’. Its mellow beginnings are in stark contrast to the raucous way in which the piece concludes and the high octane style that Knight often employs is clearly derived from the many live gigs he has already played. Similarly, with ‘Sound Check’ he builds from a cool jazz vibe to a big horn driven finale while the distinctly funky groove of ‘Rock The Boat’ has all the infectious qualities one would expect from the first single to be offered to radio. ‘In Good Company’ is another fine example of mid tempo smooth jazz and when Knight doubles up on tenor and alto for the rhythm drenched ‘Groove Town’ he produces a complex yet high energy number that he later reprises in foot stomping big band style.

Despite the vigor that Knight crams into most every note he plays he is invariably at his best when easing down the tempo. The slow jamming, R&B flavored ‘Hopes & Dreams’ is a great example of Knights more tender side and ‘Prelude To Magic’ is a massively atmospheric chapter of emotional sax that segues into the silkily seductive ‘Magic In The Air’. This stunning tune is among the album’s best but just shading it as Smooth Jazz Therapy’s top track is the wonderful title cut. With a vibe to die for, this sultry six minute fifty five second smoker is an absolute gem.

Given the uncertainty that currently permeates the smooth jazz scene, it is immensely encouraging to discover the new fresh talent of Evan Knight. ‘Reminiscence’ is available now at www.cdbaby.com and from Evan’s own excellent website at www.evanknight.com