Pianist Falkner Evans believes: "Musicians give shape and form to a body of work and their creativity is a reflection of who they are." Sometimes the process is elusive, but in the end the culmination of a good jazz recording is the transfer of an artist’s intuitive creative spirit that comes from within. For the listener, that transfer is "an expression of that final rounded-out beauty" that brings pleasure musically. Falkner’s latest CD entitled ‘ARC’ does all of the above and is beautifully crafted recording; in fact, this may well be one of his works to date.

‘ARC’ is Falkner Evans’ third CD as a leader. The effort contains a hodgepodge of rhythmic transitional jazz that is anchored by bassist Belden Bullock and drummer Matt Wilson. Melodically, Evans’ subtle style is very intimate and personal. Anyone within earshot of ‘ARC’ receives a multifaceted view of his spontaneous energetic style as a pianist. Over nine progressively different tracks Falkner Evans combines five original compositions with four standards crafted by John Coltrane, Johnny Mercer, Wayne Shorter and Kurt Weill. These influences plus the musical chemistry heard between Evans, Bullock and Wilson has seemingly pushed the envelope of aesthetically correct improvised jazz.

‘ARC’ is a jazz recording that is definitely understated, especially in an environment that is often inundated by superficially incorrect smooth jazz. Falkner Evans and his duo have put together a body of work that fills the bill on the type of rounded-out beauty an artist attempts to create. As a trio, these musicians have epitomized what has become "America’s only original art form." Nowadays that kind of qualitative improvised statement is difficult to come by commercially; however, artistically there is a wealth of creativity that will fine tune what is missing in today’s instrumental pop approach to jazz. By most accounts, ‘ARC’ runs the gamut of handcrafted jazz that has all the characteristics of what the straight-ahead style should really be about.