Welcome to New England! This time the new release takes us to the smallest US state of Rhode Island and introduces musicians who are quite famous on the local stage – the Evening Sky ensemble from Providence. The ensemble is unique, they characterize their music as “root music under the influence of jazz and jazz under the influence of root music”. Bassist Joe Potenza said in an interview that Evening Sky’s music ranges from Bill Frizell to the Grateful Dead. In general, Evening Sky is a quartet, where, in addition to the bassist mentioned above, two guitarists play, Chris Brooks on a pedal steel guitar and Gino Rosati on an ordinary electric guitar, as well as drummer Eric Hastings. The ensemble already has a number of albums in its discography, and local vocalist Tish Adams also joined the band in her new project, which is why the designation +1 appeared in the title. Adams is also not the last person on the local scene. A versatile vocalist and a popular radio host for many years, Adams is a perfect fit for her collaboration with Evening Sky, which should clearly reflect on the popularity of the new album.
Evening Sky is New England based Roots infused Jazz|Jazz infused Roots band
The Desert at Night album release show
Saturday, March 12, 2022 5p
1119 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904
(401) 383-5858
http://theparlourri.com
Really Easy Listening
Evening Sky stretches out on The Desert at Night,
an unpredictable suite of new instrumental jams
Something special happens when the players in Evening Sky get together. The chemistry begins. The grooves materialize and the melodies fall into place. The sound that emerges is truly its own. It dwells in the fertile ground between jazz and roots, the soft spaces between soul, country, and folk, with the spirit of collaboration and the passion of playing great music.
Chris Brooks, Eric Hastings, Joe Potenza, and Gino Rosati together make wholly unique music and have been working at it since assembling back in 2017. Drawn together by proximity, kismet, and a mutual affinity for unusual and unpredictable sounds, the quartet has the capability of blending seemingly disparate styles to create music that feels completely logical. It’s a rare feat for sure and only advised when the participants are up to the task.
Evening Sky’s newest recording, The Desert at Night, their fourth and most fully realized recording, is rhythmic and smooth, playful, and intriguing. The street date is March 4, with an album release show on Saturday, March 12 at The Parlour in Providence. With Brooks on pedal steel, Rosati on electric guitar, Potenza on bass, and Hastings on drums, the band stakes out an extraordinary aural ground. There’s the sultry opener “Van Cleef,” the mild boogie of “Bowlagumbo,” and the Jerry Reed-style chicken picker “Goodbye Columbus” are all memorable. Flutist Wendy Klein adds serious flair to the title track and the closing “A Blustery Day,” the latter of which features an atmospheric King Crimson vibe and builds subtlely and satisfyingly until Klein wraps things up. “Bill’s Porch” would sound great on a summery, sunshiny porch with a frosty lemonade. Brooks’ pedal steel carries the lead responsibility and it’s a delight. Easy listening, indeed, with the emphasis on aaaah.
Recorded by Hastings at The Grapevine in Providence, mixed by Graham Mellor at Uptown Sound, also in Providence, and mastered by Scott Craggs at Old Colony Mastering, the songs on The Desert at Night are all composed by Gino Rosati, except for the funky jazz nugget, “Where the Buses Don’t Run,” written by Potenza. All the tracks on this recording are instrumental, though the band works with some very talented vocalists. (When you get a chance, check out the band’s epic cover of Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited.”)
Incidentally, Evening Sky is staying busy, with a full slate of shows and upcoming recording sessions, including a recording with singer Tish Adamsand an additional handful of new music.
Music industry consultant and publicist Ginny Shea has garnered international exposure for her clients through radio and video promotion, print media, and her vast industry network.
