EVOLUTION QUARTET
FEATURING ALEX SIPIAGIN
REFLECTIONS
Singapore’s jazz scene has just gotten more vibrant with jazz band Evolution Quartet’s new album. Scheduled to launch on Spotify on 2nd September 2020.
Evolution’s debut jazz album Reflections offers a taste of life in all sorts of high notes ranging from an ode to the jazz scene and love for papa to shoe-shopping.
Recorded in the studio, Reflections features Cheryl Ann Spencer on piano, Tamagoh on drums, Rit Xu on the flute, Fabian Lee on the double bass while the celebrated and prominent New York-based trumpeter Alex Sipiagin contributed as Reflections’ guest artiste. The band overcame the challenges of differing geographies, time zones and work commitments and finally put together the album after a three year artistic endeavour. Join Evolution Quartet on a journey through diverse, melodic and moving soundscapes in the Reflections album.
“We are really thrilled to be able to launch this album as it is a culmination of our efforts from playing together, embarking on the creative process and exploring the idea of original compositions. We love jazz and really hope we can contribute to Singapore’s jazz scene, making it more conducive for everyone to enjoy, appreciate, and even learn about this genre of music,” says Evolution Quartet band leader Cheryl Ann Spencer.
From left to right: Bassist Fabian Lee, flutist Rit Xu, New York-based guest trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, pianist Cheryl Ann Spencer and drummer Tamagoh.
Reflections: A Taste of Life
Reflections
This composition has Cheryl reflecting on her career as a female jazz pianist and also her time spent pursuing Jazz Music as a major at LaSalle College of Arts. Self-reflection is important in this journey of growth – when coupled with pain, one progresses and moves forward to a better place. She did not think she would get to do this in her 40s as it was never in the pipeline; she remains thankful for the opportunity and to be able to overcome the challenges of balancing motherhood, family and ultimately giving her best in her major.
She often ponders over the role of women in jazz. There are some female jazz singers who are prolific but few female instrumentalists have received recognition in this genre - she certainly hopes to see more of them in the scene.
The late American jazz pianist McCoy Tyner was the inspiration behind this piece.
Rainbow (Arco Iris in Portuguese)
Rainbow - a sign of miracles and promise - is a bossa nova rhythm inspired by the late Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and father of the genre. The tune’s bossa nova beat features veteran drummer Tamagoh’s virtuosity and instantly transports the audience to Rio de Janeiro.
Shoe Shopping (Comprar Sapatos in Portuguese)
Cheryl has a real passion for shoes and loves playing this cheerful samba-inflected tune because she feels as though she could be out on the streets of Europe shopping for shoes. It is a moment of escape dreaming about shoe shopping even though she cannot and does not need to buy more.
Evolution
This eponymous song is inspired by the Evolution Garden of the Singapore Botanic Gardens, a wonderland of moss, ferns, rocks and cycads which makes a great setting for a morning jog. Fabian’s rhythmic and powerful groove on the double bass sets the scene for flutist Rit Xu to build the dynamics of the piece, taking listeners on an emotional journey through modern jazz and harmonics. It reflects the evolution of the band, pushing boundaries beyond their comfort zone to be a stronger band.
My Favourite Things
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s musical The Sound of Music’s
My Favourite Things is presented in a jazz rendition by Evolution Quartet,
with every note a reminder of the Broadway hit set in the Austrian alps.
This song, likely close to the hearts of many, has always been a bucket list
for Cheryl to record as she grew up listening to it.
My Papa
This is a melancholic and pensive tribute to Cheryl’s father, the former President of the Singapore Music Teachers Association and formerly a student at the Vienna Conservatory. Cheryl’s formative years in the Teo household were imbued by the late Mr Teo Chin Huat’s love for classical music and jazz. He used to take his children to concerts - from local ones and even to the opera in Vienna - so the joy of music was experienced at a very young age and free from the pressure of formal music exams. Having recognised Cheryl’s love - and aptitude - for jazz, his last words for Cheryl was an advice for her to pursue an education in jazz. Although the late Mr Teo had already departed, his melody lives on in every key. Jazz artiste James Flynn wrote the lyrics for My Papa and in time to come, a version of this song with vocals will be released.
