Though still in his mid thirties, James has been playing professionally for over 15 years, and has become known for his adventurous and energetic playing on clarinet and saxophone, and on many occasions for his jazz singing.
James was born and raised in Anglesey, beginning his musical career at a tender age playing trombone with his local brass band before deciding that his real passion was jazz. He trained at Leeds College of Music, studying jazz clarinet and saxophone, but even while there he began playing professionally - with Phil Mason's New Orleans All-stars, an association that continued for three years but finally ended through choice when the relentless travel proved too exhausting. His years at Leeds ended triumphantly when he entered the 1993 Yorkshire TV competition for the Best Young Jazz Player of the Year, and came away with the top prize in the Traditional Jazz category. Since then James has played with many bands in many styles, notably The Boston Tea party (Jonny Boston was also at Leeds), TJ Johnson's Bourbon Kick, several of the Keith Nichols ensembles, John Richardson's Ginger Pigs, and Barry Martyn's Young Bloods. He moved from London to Kent a few years ago, but still plays with many London-based musicians, and intends to keep that going, for a few years at least. A present he has three bands of his own: James Evans' Incredible String Four, James Evans' Octuple Odyssey and the recently formed, Sunshine Kings. There are CDs available for both the JE Incredible String Four and the JE Octuple Odyssey (click below)
James Evans
Composer &
Jazz Instrumentalist
Composer &
Jazz Instrumentalist
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the bands and their recorded music
James has travelled a great deal over the years, notably with the Phil Mason band, but he now works mainly within the UK. He has played in New Orleans several times however, and even recorded there in the company of some distinguished jazzmen.
Over the years he has recorded many times, initially as a member of bands led by other people (Phil Mason, T J Johnson, and Barry Martyn) but now, increasingly, with his own bands. Stylistically, James is comfortable with almost the whole jazz spectrum from Dixieland to Freeform: a diversity that also appears in his composing work. As Humphrey Lyttleton has remarked on several occasions, James' music and the way it is performed by his own bands is hard to classify, but always stimulating. What all of James' bands share is a high creative energy and spontaneity, which give them a real freshness and accessibility.
Over the years he has recorded many times, initially as a member of bands led by other people (Phil Mason, T J Johnson, and Barry Martyn) but now, increasingly, with his own bands. Stylistically, James is comfortable with almost the whole jazz spectrum from Dixieland to Freeform: a diversity that also appears in his composing work. As Humphrey Lyttleton has remarked on several occasions, James' music and the way it is performed by his own bands is hard to classify, but always stimulating. What all of James' bands share is a high creative energy and spontaneity, which give them a real freshness and accessibility.
'.....without doubt, a national treasure'
Humphrey
Lyttleton on 'Best of Jazz' (3/3/06)
James is currently looking for funding to record 'The Incredible String Four plus Orchestra' in a re-creation of music first performed with the Welsh Chamber Orchestra at the 2008 Beaumaris Arts Festival.
CAN YOU HELP?
If you would like to invest in this project, or sponsor it, please email James by clicking here.
CAN YOU HELP?
If you would like to invest in this project, or sponsor it, please email James by clicking here.
