Beginning in late December, 1995, Evan Christopher took over the clarinet duties in the Jim Cullum Jazz Band. He left the band in December, 1998.
Evan Christopher is a dynamic young clarinetist and saxophonist committed to preserving and continuing the spirit of classic jazz. Recently, he has been gaining acclaim for his energetic performances which bring a fresh approach to the idioms of traditional jazz and swing.
Born in 1970, this California native's experiences on national and international stages include appearances at the Fetes Transmusicales in Rennes, the Tonight Show, Disneyland, the German-American Volksfest in Berlin, as well as many west-coast jazz festivals such as the L.A. Classic and Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. While in California, Evan performed frequently with his Hot Swing Quartet, influenced by the 1930's combos of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Artie Shaw.
Evan has also been featured with several other groups: A.J. Croce and his Band and popular jazz-festival bands including Swing Savant, the Misbehavin' Jazz Band, and the South Market Street Jazz Band. After a move to New Orleans, he performed with the Nightcrawlers Brass Band, Al Hirt, and the Dukes of Dixieland. Besides his own recording Classic Jazz Classics, Evan is featured on A.J. Croce's debut recording, A.J. Croce, on the Private Music label and Arnold McCullers' debut, Exception to the Rule, on Coyote Records.
Having begun his musical training at the age of 10, Evan was the recipient of the Louis Armstrong National Jazz Award at age 16 and was one of the first graduates of the prestigious Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts. After high school, Evan attended the University of Southern California on music scholarships and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State University, Long Beach.
In 1997, he won the San Antonio Current award for Best New Artist.
"My goal is to maintain the integrity of early jazz styles, its structure, but move forward so that it's speaking to an audience of today instead of being something bottled and preserved."
