ABOUT
“…it is particularly in the playing of pianist Evan Mazunik…that one hears a true jazz spirit in terms of rhythmic ‘swinging’ as well as improvisatory brilliance…” (Lynn René Bayley, Fanfare)
Evan Mazunik creates contemporary music and progressive jazz as a composer, keyboardist, and musical director based in Denver, CO. Sacred music and swing join forces in his album Restoration (2016), a collection of jazz piano trio versions of classic hymns.
His full-length holiday album, Amid the Cold (2020), features original arrangements of Christmas carols. Mazunik as solo artist fuses jazz piano, vintage keyboards, electronic interludes, spoken word, and samples from outer space.
Ever since starting piano lessons as a near-sighted 4-year-old, Evan Mazunik has blurred the lines between crisp melodies and impressionistic embellishments at the keyboard. With his adventurous arrangements, Evan reworks his roots in jazz and sacred music to craft darkly introspective instrumentals.
For his full-length holiday album, Amid the Cold, Evan transforms classic Christmas carols, combining jazz piano with vintage synthesizers. “Growing up, I was immersed in music around the holidays, from Vince Guaraldi’s soundtrack for a Charlie Brown Christmas to Mannheim Steamroller songs on the radio,” the Denver-based artist reminisced. “As I compiled original arrangements of some of my favorite Christmas carols, I wove all of those influences into this solo album.”
“In the face of…well, 2020, I wrestled with even releasing a holiday record this year,” he said. “When shutdowns began in March, I wasn’t even sure if the recording studio I had picked would stay afloat.” Evan continued, “But it did, and when I eventually sat down to record these songs, it was tempting to shut myself off to all the upheavals around me and escape into a numbing nostalgia. Instead, I decided to be clear-eyed and transparent about my emotions, so this album reflects the full range of my feelings about this moment. And, while there are some darker songs on this record, I still stubbornly find a way to express hope and joy in this season.”
With online listening parties, livestream shows, and a series of videos on the making of Amid the Cold, he has adapted his album release plans for current circumstances. “Although traditional options like live performance venues and touring aren’t currently available, I’m still committed to bringing bit of warmth with my music, especially on a year when many holiday parties have been canceled,” Evan said. “I continually find in the story of Christmas a hope that, even in the darkest hour, justice and peace break in. Even on the longest night, goodness can come to us, often unnoticed—as the carol says, ‘amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.’” Amid the Cold (released Oct 30) is available in both digital and physical formats.
BIOGRAPHY
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VIDEO
MUSIC
Soundcloud: Amid the Cold – Evan Mazunik (2020)
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PHOTOS
EPK
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