Clarinetist, Evan Christopher is a refreshingly bright light on the national and international jazz scene. He combines virtuosity, immaculate taste, and enthusiasm with a deep commitment to capturing the full range of musical possibilities that come from having strong roots in the idioms of New Orleans jazz and the Creole clarinet style.

Mr. Christopher's career in music began when he was 21 with varied work in California and in 1994, he moved to New Orleans. He quickly entrenched himself in the local music scene appearing with musicians as stylistically diverse as veterans of Preservation Hall and Al Hirt to funk and brass bands like the Nightcrawlers and Galactic. In 1996, he left to join the Jim Cullum Jazz Band in San Antonio, Texas, and for almost three years, he appeared nightly as their featured clarinetist and recorded several of their syndicated radio show, Riverwalk: Live from the Landing alongside guest artists such as Dick Hyman, William Warfield, and Topsy Chapman.

This Side of Evan (Jazzology 2002) and his Clarinet Road series (STR Digital) are among the recordings under his own name and he is featured on many others with New Orleans artists such as Big Al Carson, Walter Payton, Duke Heitger, Narvin Kimball, Uncle Lionel Battiste, and Tom McDermott. Having returned to New Orleans in 2001, Evan is recognized worldwide as one of the most important advocates for early jazz styles. He frequently tours with groups such as the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra and also as a featured soloist.Mr. Christopher has shared the stage with jazz veterans including Marshall Hawkins, George Wein, Arvell Shaw, Kenny Davern, and Tony Scott.

Mr. Christopher was born in Long Beach, California and 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 cum laude with a Bachelor's degree from California State University, Long Beach. Published research and academic presentations on the New Orleans clarinet style initiated his pursuit of a Masters degree in Musicology at Tulane University. In August of 2006 Hurricane Katrina interrupted Evan's studies and he is, for now, on "Clarinet Road" traveling continuously.