Bukas: How Karl Evangelista is Exploring the Future of Free Music with his Quintet and Special Guest, Andrew Cyrille

The rumors are true. Rising Filipino-American guitarist Karl Evangelista has officially teamed up with 577 Records to reveal an aural feast fit for melophile royalty. In his first album with the label, Bukas, his quintet (Karl Evangelista’s Apura) is joined by a very special guest: drum legend Andrew Cyrille. This thought-provoking avant-garde piece doesn't only recognize the need for a better world. It also creates a mesmerizing platform for discovering what that could look like.
The new release’s namesake is tied to Evangelista’s roots (“Bukas” means “tomorrow” in the Filipino language Tagalog). A slightly different pronunciation of the word translates to “open”, setting expressive freedom as the theme for the whole album. It explores the life of experimentalism, from its origins to its purpose and function and a wondrous destiny currently being shaped by pioneers like Karl Evangelista’s Apura.

released August 22, 2025

Karl Evangelista: guitar, voice (3,6)
Lewis Jordan: alto saxophone, voice (1, 9)
Francis Wong: tenor saxophone
Rei Scampavia: keys, electronics
Lisa Mezzacappa: bass
with Special Guest Andrew Cyrille: drums