Peter Evans, Being & Becoming - Ars ludicra (2025)

Ars ludicra" is the third studio album from Peter Evans' group Being & Becoming, recorded in 2024 at the legendary Van Gelder Studios in New Jersey. Featuring Evans on a range of trumpets, piano, and electronics, Joel Ross on vibraphone and synth, Nick Jozwiak on bass and synth, and Michael Shekwoaga Ode on drums, the album captures the band in peak form during a period of extensive touring and intense musical development.
The sound of the group has changed radically from what was heard on their previous album "Ars memoria" to include an even wider variety of styles and sounds. Detailed post-production with engineer Mike Pride has resulted in an album that traverses the explosive stadium-level dynamics of 'Malibu', the musique concrète of 'Pulsar', and the orchestral Brazilian-influenced textures of 'Images'. The album includes a rare cover as well - 'My Sorrow Is Luminous', by the Russian folk-punk singer Yanka Dyagileva, arranged and expanded to symphonic proportions.
All four of the musicians heard on the album (with the addition of virtuoso flutist Alice Teyssier on 'Images') play with unmistakable individuality and style, navigating the sometimes labyrinthine compositions with strength and elegance. The results are something radically different from the group’s previous releases, while still maintaining a sense of continuity.
Being & Becoming was formed by trumpeter and composer Peter Evans in 2017. The group has since become Evans' primary band and compositional outlet, synthesizing both an enormous range of influences as well as the incredible stylistic diversity of the band members. The group released their eponymous debut in 2020 and the symphonic follow-up Ars Memoria in 2022, both on Evans' label More Is More Records. In 2023 and 24 the group toured major festivals and venues in the USA and Europe, constantly developing new music. This chapter was documented on the album "Ars ludicra", out on October 17 2025.
The evolution of the band has continued in 2025 with the inclusion of Pulitzer-prize winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Dr. Tyshawn Sorey on drums. This lineup has already appeared at major festivals in the USA and Europe and is planning more extensive touring for 2026 and beyond.