James Evans + Blues & Grooves = JAZZ BLUEZION... A 'must have' for jazz and blues fans.

9 MP3 Songs
JAZZ: Smooth Jazz, BLUES: Jazzy Blues



Details:
When an extremely-talented sax sideman for top blues artists like Z. Z. Hill, Willie Clayton, Lynn White, Percy Sledge, Bobby Rush, Chris Thomas King and Glenn Holmes decides to step out for a solo career, he reaches for his musical roots for inspiration and then adds a twist of his own. James Evans, a self-educated saxophonist has evolved to new level and has coined a new definition for his musical blues and jazz roots: JAZZ BLUEZION©.

Evans' self-produced debut release, "Blues & Grooves" on the Sam's House Studio label, shows jazz and blues fans exactly what JAZZ BLUEZION© is - a mellow fusion of jazz and blues. Upon hearing Evans' soulful interpretations of When A Man Loves A Woman, Down Home Blues and What's Going On, one will easily understand the reason for the new term. Add his original compositions to the mix - Glen Holmes Blues and Like Hank (I Wish I Were) - it is easy to appreciate why the blue-eyed soul brother was chosen as the saxman of choice by so many. Evans, along with his devotion and passion for music, are simply a JAZZ BLUEZION© experience at its best! Evans, who considers himself a master of the alto, tenor and WX5 Wind Controller, cites Hank Crawford as one of his most positive sax influences. "When I heard Hank, I knew that my level of playing needed to be extended. So I challenged myself," Evans emphasized.

"Things really started to click for me when I met my mentor and friend, saxophonist/educator Louis Lee in 1979. It wasn't long before I started touring with some of the top artists in the area - like Z. Z. Hill, Sam Myers and Louis Lee's Mighty Upsetters," said Evans. As a result of that "clicking", Evans has shared regular gigs with The Legendary Subway Houserockers Band for the past six years, as well as touring with major blues artists. His new release, "Blues & Grooves", accentuates his efforts to bring broader recognition to the JAZZ BLUEZION© musical genre.

Evans has been featured in films and documentaries, including Bob Mugge's' Last of the Mississippi Jukes and Martin Scorsese's The Blues. He has appeared as both headliner and sideman at venues in his hometown of Jackson, MS; Memphis, New Orleans and across the US.

Visit James' MySpace pages at
www.myspace.com/jazzbluezion2.com.