Interview with
Adison Evans
Saxophonist
Adison Evans
Saxophonist
Photo Credit: Simon Yu
|
Adison Evans is a saxophonist known for her work with Beyoncé, Jay Z and Demi Lovato. She has also shared the stage with Stefon Harris, Christian McBride, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis, Trisha Yearwood, and Nicki Minaj. She draws on her influences, travels and life experience as well as those that have influenced her both musically and personally. Her music exudes a love for jazz, R&B and positive affirmation. She combines pure excitement with a soulful saxophone sound and a contagious smile to create her compelling performances.
Adison made her debut in the pop world playing in the 2013 Super Bowl with Beyoncé. After graduating from The Juilliard School, she toured with Beyoncé in the “Mrs. Carter Show World Tour” and, afterward, with Beyoncé and Jay Z in the history making “On the Run Tour.” She can also be heard on the album that crashed iTunes, Beyoncé, and has been seen in many of her music videos, including “Countdown,” as well as HBO Beyoncé specials. In 2016, Adison released her debut album, Hero, a tribute to those who have shaped her into the young woman and artist she is today. In 2017, Adison debuted on Broadway in “Home for the Holidays” at New York City’s historical August Wilson Theater. |
She is proud to release her second album, Meridian,* which she co-produced with Australian-born saxophonist, Troy Roberts. The album is rooted in the concept that everything is connected, just as the meridians in our bodies create pathways for vital energy to flow.
*Available on July 6, 2018: iTunes, Cd Baby, Spotify and everywhere.
*Available on July 6, 2018: iTunes, Cd Baby, Spotify and everywhere.
Nancy Burger, senior editor, spoke with Adison about her path to touring with Beyoncé, her music, and her newest album, Meridian, to be released this summer.
Are you from a musical family?
Yes, my mom was a brilliant music educator for 30 years, an amazing pianist and also played clarinet, flute and sax. My dad is also an incredible pianist and was a classical opera tenor. So, I grew up around music, and my parents afforded me a lot of opportunities. They're the reason I am where I am.
When did you graduate from Juilliard and how did you land the gig with Beyoncé'?
I received my undergraduate degree in 2012, then returned to pursue my master's in 2013, but I never finished because I got called to join her band and go out on the road.
How did that come about?
It was actually a really interesting situation. At Juilliard, I met a music contractor who was looking for musicians for a show at Radio City Music Hall with Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks - a women's history event hosted by Meryl Streep. Trisha Yearwood wanted an all-female horn section behind her, and the contractor asked me to put that together. Coincidentally, a week or two before that, I had met Beyoncé's trumpet player Crystal Torres, so I asked her, and she agreed to do the show. I met Crystal through Tia Fuller, who was Beyoncé's main saxophonist and who I looked up to like a big sister. Fast-forward a few months...Crystal told me that Beyoncé was doing a video shoot for the song "Countdown" and needed more horn players. She asked if I would be interested. I cancelled my plans for the next two days and went to this warehouse in the Bronx to do the video, which is when I first met Beyoncé'. A year later, I found out that Tia Fuller was leaving the band because she got a teaching position at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Beyoncé's people called me and a handful of other women and asked me to send in a video of myself playing different saxophones and doing a two-step dance.
How long did it take you to do it?
I was at school when I found this out and didn't even have a saxophone with me. I had just finished a yoga class, so you can imagine what I looked like - no makeup on and crazy hair. I asked a friend of mine, "Hey, can I borrow your saxophone, and could you please take a video of me?" I had some heels in my locker, so I put them on.
Isn't that what you have to do sometimes? Just be ready to do things like that on a moment's notice?
I thought, "She'll never pick me, so let's have fun with this." I did it in 20 minutes and sent it in. Sure enough, a few weeks later, I got a phone call from her music director who said, "Beyoncé is really interested in you. Would you be willing to leave school? We would like to have you on for a trial period of three months and, in that time, we'll do the Super Bowl…and, if all works out, if you get along with everyone in the band, there's a possibility for you to join the tour after that."
I ended up doing two tours with her.
Do you miss being on tour?
The time with Beyoncé was beautiful, and traveling the world was incredible. Just being around her is a great experience because she's an artist with such vision and work ethic - it's very inspiring. I was the youngest by far when I joined the tour (21 years old), and they all became like my family. At first, they would pick on me because I was so green, but they really took me under their wing, and it was a beautiful experience. Plus, I learned so much about the business. Now, when I play with other artists, I'll sometimes say, "Hey, this contract should be done differently." I don't get pushed around.
I imagine it was empowering to be with an all-female ensemble, no?
Definitely - especially with women who really knew what they were doing. And Beyoncé, of course, who is the number one icon out there for empowering women and young girls.
What are you doing now?
I decided to return to school. I'm at the Manhattan School of Music now to finish my master's.
I give you a lot of credit for that. It was probably a tough decision - first to leave school, and then to be in that whirlwind of touring. It's great that you want to continue your education.
Thank you. You know, I'm really all about opening up my possibilities. I write a lot of music, but I don't just write in a jazz setting. I also write classical music and music for film scores. I want to expand my options and see what I can do. I'm happiest when I'm creating and playing my music and being challenged.
I'm very curious about your time in Tuscany, especially since I lived there as a young woman and love it so much. How did you find yourself there, and where did you live?
We were in Paris, ending the “On the Run” tour with Jay Z and Beyoncé and featuring Nicki Minaj. At this point, we had been working regularly for two to three years - two months on, a month on, etc. - and it was kind of open-ended whether or not we were going to continue. It turned out that Beyoncé wanted to take a break - rightfully so. But I didn't really have a place to live. I had gotten rid of my apartment in New York because I was never there, and I had no connections there anymore. I was like, "My God, what am I going to do?" To be completely honest with you, I kind of lost sight of what I wanted to do with music when I was on that gig. While it was, of course, about the music, that gig was also about the production, so I kind of lost track of what I wanted to do musically. I decided I needed a break. I had studied Italian at Juilliard, and I love cooking,* so I decided to go to Italy for a break. I rented an apartment in Siena. I still go back often.
* Adison attended the French Culinary institute in Soho while studying at Juilliard.
Let's talk about "Hero" a bit. Someone described the album as "a tribute to those who have shaped her into the young woman and artist she is today." Would you agree with that?
Yes. I was so inspired after working with Beyoncé and everyone in her camp. In fact, one of the songs, "Blue" is one that Beyoncé wrote for her daughter - I really wanted to put it on my record.
You also cover "Ribbon in the Sky" on the record. Has Stevie Wonder been a big influence on your music?
Stevie Wonder is my all-time musical hero. I had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions, the first being at Michelle Obama's birthday party. He is brilliant and so warm and loving. When I saw him from across the room, I ran over and told him he's my absolute hero, and that I'd love to play in his band. I have no shame!
Are you from a musical family?
Yes, my mom was a brilliant music educator for 30 years, an amazing pianist and also played clarinet, flute and sax. My dad is also an incredible pianist and was a classical opera tenor. So, I grew up around music, and my parents afforded me a lot of opportunities. They're the reason I am where I am.
When did you graduate from Juilliard and how did you land the gig with Beyoncé'?
I received my undergraduate degree in 2012, then returned to pursue my master's in 2013, but I never finished because I got called to join her band and go out on the road.
How did that come about?
It was actually a really interesting situation. At Juilliard, I met a music contractor who was looking for musicians for a show at Radio City Music Hall with Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks - a women's history event hosted by Meryl Streep. Trisha Yearwood wanted an all-female horn section behind her, and the contractor asked me to put that together. Coincidentally, a week or two before that, I had met Beyoncé's trumpet player Crystal Torres, so I asked her, and she agreed to do the show. I met Crystal through Tia Fuller, who was Beyoncé's main saxophonist and who I looked up to like a big sister. Fast-forward a few months...Crystal told me that Beyoncé was doing a video shoot for the song "Countdown" and needed more horn players. She asked if I would be interested. I cancelled my plans for the next two days and went to this warehouse in the Bronx to do the video, which is when I first met Beyoncé'. A year later, I found out that Tia Fuller was leaving the band because she got a teaching position at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Beyoncé's people called me and a handful of other women and asked me to send in a video of myself playing different saxophones and doing a two-step dance.
How long did it take you to do it?
I was at school when I found this out and didn't even have a saxophone with me. I had just finished a yoga class, so you can imagine what I looked like - no makeup on and crazy hair. I asked a friend of mine, "Hey, can I borrow your saxophone, and could you please take a video of me?" I had some heels in my locker, so I put them on.
Isn't that what you have to do sometimes? Just be ready to do things like that on a moment's notice?
I thought, "She'll never pick me, so let's have fun with this." I did it in 20 minutes and sent it in. Sure enough, a few weeks later, I got a phone call from her music director who said, "Beyoncé is really interested in you. Would you be willing to leave school? We would like to have you on for a trial period of three months and, in that time, we'll do the Super Bowl…and, if all works out, if you get along with everyone in the band, there's a possibility for you to join the tour after that."
I ended up doing two tours with her.
Do you miss being on tour?
The time with Beyoncé was beautiful, and traveling the world was incredible. Just being around her is a great experience because she's an artist with such vision and work ethic - it's very inspiring. I was the youngest by far when I joined the tour (21 years old), and they all became like my family. At first, they would pick on me because I was so green, but they really took me under their wing, and it was a beautiful experience. Plus, I learned so much about the business. Now, when I play with other artists, I'll sometimes say, "Hey, this contract should be done differently." I don't get pushed around.
I imagine it was empowering to be with an all-female ensemble, no?
Definitely - especially with women who really knew what they were doing. And Beyoncé, of course, who is the number one icon out there for empowering women and young girls.
What are you doing now?
I decided to return to school. I'm at the Manhattan School of Music now to finish my master's.
I give you a lot of credit for that. It was probably a tough decision - first to leave school, and then to be in that whirlwind of touring. It's great that you want to continue your education.
Thank you. You know, I'm really all about opening up my possibilities. I write a lot of music, but I don't just write in a jazz setting. I also write classical music and music for film scores. I want to expand my options and see what I can do. I'm happiest when I'm creating and playing my music and being challenged.
I'm very curious about your time in Tuscany, especially since I lived there as a young woman and love it so much. How did you find yourself there, and where did you live?
We were in Paris, ending the “On the Run” tour with Jay Z and Beyoncé and featuring Nicki Minaj. At this point, we had been working regularly for two to three years - two months on, a month on, etc. - and it was kind of open-ended whether or not we were going to continue. It turned out that Beyoncé wanted to take a break - rightfully so. But I didn't really have a place to live. I had gotten rid of my apartment in New York because I was never there, and I had no connections there anymore. I was like, "My God, what am I going to do?" To be completely honest with you, I kind of lost sight of what I wanted to do with music when I was on that gig. While it was, of course, about the music, that gig was also about the production, so I kind of lost track of what I wanted to do musically. I decided I needed a break. I had studied Italian at Juilliard, and I love cooking,* so I decided to go to Italy for a break. I rented an apartment in Siena. I still go back often.
* Adison attended the French Culinary institute in Soho while studying at Juilliard.
Let's talk about "Hero" a bit. Someone described the album as "a tribute to those who have shaped her into the young woman and artist she is today." Would you agree with that?
Yes. I was so inspired after working with Beyoncé and everyone in her camp. In fact, one of the songs, "Blue" is one that Beyoncé wrote for her daughter - I really wanted to put it on my record.
You also cover "Ribbon in the Sky" on the record. Has Stevie Wonder been a big influence on your music?
Stevie Wonder is my all-time musical hero. I had the pleasure of meeting him on a few occasions, the first being at Michelle Obama's birthday party. He is brilliant and so warm and loving. When I saw him from across the room, I ran over and told him he's my absolute hero, and that I'd love to play in his band. I have no shame!
|
Let's talk about your new project, "Meridian". What inspired it?
The Tuscan countryside was the inspiration for this album. We're about to release a music video of one of the singles - it's really my love letter to nature. I grew up in the woods…in a really beautiful part of New Jersey. It's funny because, when I was a kid, I told myself I was going to get out of the country. But now I feel the need to ground myself in nature. I need to sit under a tree and breathe in fresh air. As an artist, it's so difficult to be creative when you're not grounded. That's one of the reasons I go back to Italy often because when I'm there it's all about exploring all five senses. I have also become a huge fan of acupuncture, and in Chinese medicine a meridian is a vital pathway of energy that flows through our body. I believe that everything is connected, not only inside of us but the energy we emit is received in the outside world and connects everyone and everything to nature and to each other. |
Photo Credit: Tobia Borgogni
|
Tell me a little about your writing process?
Sometimes I have these moments of divine inspiration where the music is flowing out of me, but that doesn't happen very often. I wrote a lot of "Meridian" with Troy Roberts, who was my boyfriend at the time, so it was easy! That was my first co-writing experience. Honestly, he's probably the most brilliant saxophonist I've ever known. We still maintain a great working relationship.
In your interview with the Village Voice, you described Hero as "me trying to write a cure for myself." What did you mean by that?
I believe that in the writing process we discover so much about ourselves that we didn't even know was there. I'm a very outwardly happy person, but some of the music I write is dark - I suppose because it brings things back and involves a lot of self-reflection. Hero was my first musical contribution to the world as a [band] leader, which was very important for me because it got me back into music. It was the thing that got me started on the journey I'm on now, and for that I'm very grateful. I was also depressed after the tour was over. Traveling the world, staying in five-star hotels and playing for 100,000 people every night is such a huge rush. Then, all of a sudden, you're not doing it anymore. My world completely flipped. I felt directionless. This music provided an answer for that.
Are you happy in your life now?
I'm beyond happy. I've been really trying to work on being present, being in the moment. If I've learned anything, it's that things are not going to turn out the way you expect them to. Beyoncé was not even on my radar when that opportunity fell into my lap. Italy was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I had never planned to do that. I'm happiest when I'm challenging myself, when I'm growing as a person.
Where is your sanctuary, Adison? Is it writing music? Performing?
It may be a vague answer, but I would say my sanctuary is in loving. There's such a huge amount of love that I put into my music, into learning the music of other people, into learning things at school, into relationships with people. I keep a close circle of family and friends that will support me even when I'm down on myself. I find sanctuary in them.
Sometimes I have these moments of divine inspiration where the music is flowing out of me, but that doesn't happen very often. I wrote a lot of "Meridian" with Troy Roberts, who was my boyfriend at the time, so it was easy! That was my first co-writing experience. Honestly, he's probably the most brilliant saxophonist I've ever known. We still maintain a great working relationship.
In your interview with the Village Voice, you described Hero as "me trying to write a cure for myself." What did you mean by that?
I believe that in the writing process we discover so much about ourselves that we didn't even know was there. I'm a very outwardly happy person, but some of the music I write is dark - I suppose because it brings things back and involves a lot of self-reflection. Hero was my first musical contribution to the world as a [band] leader, which was very important for me because it got me back into music. It was the thing that got me started on the journey I'm on now, and for that I'm very grateful. I was also depressed after the tour was over. Traveling the world, staying in five-star hotels and playing for 100,000 people every night is such a huge rush. Then, all of a sudden, you're not doing it anymore. My world completely flipped. I felt directionless. This music provided an answer for that.
Are you happy in your life now?
I'm beyond happy. I've been really trying to work on being present, being in the moment. If I've learned anything, it's that things are not going to turn out the way you expect them to. Beyoncé was not even on my radar when that opportunity fell into my lap. Italy was one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I had never planned to do that. I'm happiest when I'm challenging myself, when I'm growing as a person.
Where is your sanctuary, Adison? Is it writing music? Performing?
It may be a vague answer, but I would say my sanctuary is in loving. There's such a huge amount of love that I put into my music, into learning the music of other people, into learning things at school, into relationships with people. I keep a close circle of family and friends that will support me even when I'm down on myself. I find sanctuary in them.
