Being & Becoming is not just a band—it is a rare alignment of four musicians redefining what contemporary improvisation can sound like today. At once grounded and searching, the music unfolds with clarity, urgency, and a deep sense of shared discovery. This is not about genre fusion or stylistic collage. It is about invention in real time. Led by Peter Evans, the group brings together a generational constellation of artists: vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Nick Jozwiak, and—since spring 2025—drummer Tyshawn Sorey, one of the most respected and singular figures in creative music today. Rather than overwhelm with density, the band shapes space. Each piece builds its own architecture, moving from spare motifs to spiraling collective climaxes. Evans’ trumpet cuts through with unmistakable clarity—at times lyrical, at times incendiary, always fully present. What emerges is music that feels composed in the moment yet structurally inevitable.Since its formation, Being & Becoming has steadily established itself among artists, critics, and audiences as one of the most vital ensembles of its generation. Their live performances are studies in flow and form—spontaneous, sophisticated, and charged with quiet intensity. The quartet’s landmark recording Ars Ludicra, captured at the legendary Rudy Van Gelder Studio and released in November 2025, marked a defining step in the band’s evolution. Following a series of residencies in New York City in December 2025, the group now enters a
new chapter: a West Coast tour in May 2026 and a forthcoming live recording featuring now Tyshawn Sorey—documenting the expanded sonic language of the current lineup. The trajectory is clear: this is an ensemble deepening its practice, sharpening its voice, and committing fully to the long arc of its own development.