Anchored in the musical vocabulary created by early Creole clarinetists such as Sidney Bechet, Omer Simeon, and Barney Bigard, Evan Christopher has created a highly personal brand of “contemporary early-jazz” that strives to extend the legacy of this unique clarinet style.
Charismatic and versatile, Christopher was drawn to New Orleans from his native California in 1994 by the rich musical landscape in the birthplace of Jazz. His highly personal style and intimate approach prompted The New York Times to coin it as “close-encounter music.” Critics especially note his respect for the New Orleans tradition, calling his music: “a triumph, joining the present seamlessly to a glorious past.”
Besides touring across the U.S., Europe, and Japan with his own groups, Christopher enjoys a prominent career and a featured soloist with groups such as the Grammy-Award-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. His numerous recordings include his own Clarinet Road series and projects alongside jazz legends such as Dick Hyman and Bucky Pizzarelli. The second recording by his group, Django a la Creole, Finesse, was the #1 Jazz CD of 2010 in The Times UK.