NOLA Jazz Band started playing regularly in March 2015. In only a few short years their “gutsy and heartfelt” New Orleans Jazz stylings has earned them a nationwide fan base. Band members also include Iowa Music Hall of Famers (Jazz AND Rock & Roll).
This 5 generation, 8 member group led by clarinetist Jeff Kane has played with some of the biggest movers and shakers in the New Orleans, Hot Jazz, and NYC Traditional Jazz scenes including: Bria Skonberg, Marla Dixon and Shotgun Jazz Band, Paul Mehling & Sam Rocha of Hot Club of San Francisco, Davina Sowers of Davina & the Vagabonds, and many others. Band members have also played at well-known clubs in New Orleans and New York including the Spotted Cat, Bamboula’s, 30/90, Iridium, and Smalls Jazz Club.
But if you ask them, the real joy comes from coming together as a band to collaborate and create what they call an interactive “family living room” experience for their audiences. They band truly enjoys performing together!
The NOLA Jazz Band loves to expose new audiences to traditional jazz music, its history, and emotion and put their own “forward looking imprint” on it while still embracing the past musical traditions. One of the best compliments we’ve received is “I don’t find myself liking jazz – however I LOVE whatever it is that you play!” We’ve actually heard that same quote many times and it warms our hearts to know people truly enjoy our playing.
The Band released their first album in March, 2016 – NOLA Jazz Band Vol. 1 “Genesis – Live from the ARK”. CD’s are available at shows, online at iTunes, CD Baby, Amazon and many other streaming services such as Spotify. The bands second CD “Black Swamp Village – NOLA Jazz Band Live” was just released on CD and is available for purchase from the band, or online at CD Baby. It will be available for streaming and online downloads in September, 2019.
If you’ve not done so please go and “like” their NOLA Jazz Band Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/NolaJazzBand/, and Instagram @nola_jazzband so you don’t miss any of their public performances and music performance clips!
NOLA Band members:
• Jeff Kane – Band Leader, Clarinet, Vocals, Backup Vocals
• Scott Davis – Cornet, Backup Vocals
• Anthony Williams – Trombone, Backup Vocals
• Abbie Sawyer – Lead Vocals, Band MC, Finger Snaps
• Chris Walsh –Acoustic Bass
• Jamie Poulson – Piano & Musical Comic Relief
• Drew Selim & Bob Brown – Drums
• Josh Gorman – Guitar, Banjo
Evan Christopher combines virtuosity, immaculate taste, and enthusiasm with a commitment to exploring the full range of possibilities in the New Orleans clarinet tradition.
His highly personal brand of “contemporary, early jazz” strives to extend the legacies of early Creole clarinet heroes such as Sidney Bechet, Barney Bigard and Omer Simeon.
Critics remarking on Christopher’s dynamic expressiveness have coined his style “close-encounter music” (NEW YORK TIMES) and have called his respect for the music traditions of New Orleans, “a triumph, joining the present seamlessly to a glorious past.” (THE OBSERVER, UK).
His journey on Clarinet Road began in 1994, when he left his native California to join the New Orleans music community. Diverse freelance work included gigs with musicians such as Al Hirt and veterans of Preservation Hall to funk and brass bands including the Nightcrawlers and Galactic.
But in 1996, he left for San Antonio, Texas to appear nightly for nearly three years with the Jim Cullum Jazz Band and record several of their public radio programs, Riverwalk: Live from the Landing.
When Christopher returned to New Orleans in 2001, his published research on the New Orleans clarinet style initiated pursuit of a Master’s degree in Musicology at Tulane University. He began touring internationally and producing his “Clarinet Road” series of CDs (STR Digital).
In August 2005, when Federal levees failed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina decimating the city, Christopher left again for Paris at the invitation of the French Embassy’s Cultural Services division, where he formed his group, Django à la Créole. This Europe-based quartet fused Gypsy Swing with Latin-tinged grooves of New Orleans and beyond and was distinguished for an acoustic intimacy paired with driving swing.
Critics charmed by the group queried, “Is there a more graceful band at work at the moment?” (THE SUNDAY TIMES UK).
Three CDs for Lejazzetal (London), in partnership with Frémeaux & Associés (Paris)—Django à la Créole (2007), Finesse (2010), and LIVE! (2014)—earned the group critical attention worldwide for its elegant character.
As a composer, Christopher’s original songs are the high point of acclaimed recordings including Delta Bound (Arbors, 2007) featuring pianist Dick Hyman, The Remembering Song (Arbors, 2010) featuring guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, his clarinet feature on the Grammy-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra’s Book One (2012) and his latest Clarinet Road CD, Bayou Chant & Other Textures (STR Digital, 2016).
In July 2010, he had the honor to debut his Treat It Gentle Suite with the Minnesota Orchestra, which was the first concerto written for clarinet with band in the New Orleans style.
Evan Christopher began his musical training on clarinet at age 11. In high school, he received the Louis Armstrong National Jazz Award and was one of the first graduates of the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy.
He continued studies at the University of Southern California and graduated with honors from California State University, Long Beach. A brief teaching stint at the University of New Orleans saw the creation of a New Orleans music ensemble that performed with guest mentors such as Lucien Barbarin and Marcus Roberts.
Since 2008, having returned once again to New Orleans, Christopher actively advocates for the cultural workforce and music education.
He frequently tours with and records as a guest with forward-looking artists, while performances under his own name are often complemented by workshops and educational and community outreach.
Occasional columns about the music scene and New Orleans culture written for NolaVie.com, evidence Evan's passion for the city’s indigenous traditions.