John Evans & Dream

Composer/Arranger John Evans is best known for his work with saxophonist David Sanborn on the RIAA certified gold, Grammy-nominated album, HIDEAWAY.

Evans and his group, Dream, have completed their third album, “Postcard from the Moon”, an eclectic mix of Evans' instrumental compositions and songs, with lyrics written by Sandy Evans. From jazz/fusion through tropical to the classic jazz ballad, this album shows Evans and his group, Dream, in a glowing new light. Postcard from the Moon was released on September 21, 2010, and is available on CD from Studio Records LLC, iTunes, and CD Baby.

Here's what Jackie Anderson - Host of Midday Jazz on WJAB-FM Radio, said about John Evans & Dream's first album: “You can feel the magic from start to finish with “DREAM”. Smooth jazz at its finest. Don't miss this one.”

In 2007, shortly after its' release, Evans' DREAM album made it to the number one slot for all genres at CD Baby. The album then remained in the top 10 of Best Selling Smooth Jazz albums for over 125 weeks.

Evans has added some new players to Dream, including the legendary Chuck Rainey on Fender bass.

The latest addition the group is Andy Timmons, whose fiery and expressive guitar playing is well known througout the world.

Rosana Eckert and Jennifer Perryman, both award winning alumnae of the University of North Texas Jazz Vocal Studies program, join Annagrey Labasse to add their extraordinary talents to the vocal sounds of John Evans & Dream. “The Winding Road” album has some of Evans' most memorable tunes, including “Easy Love” and “In A Gentle Way”. These tunes showcase the outstanding talents of Larry Spencer on flugelhorn and Ron Jones on soprano sax. Both Larry and Ron are alumni of the famous One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas.

Here's what Paul Dunkel - Music Director & Conductor of the Westchester Philharmonic (New York) had to say about John Evans & Dream's first album, DREAM:

“I've been listening to Dream, a lovely recording based on the music of the gifted American composer John Evans. Mr. Evans obviously has an ear for lyrical lines and many of his songs are extended in these instrumental versions. The arrangements are subtle and colorful. The playing is first rate throughout. For this listener (a classical musician) Mr. Evans seems to have learned lessons from several major composers: Debussy comes to mind first. My particular favorite cut is “Para Bailar” with its Latin edge. Each selection has a catchy groove and there is enough variety between the five compositions to satisfy any listener whether he be from the pop or classical worlds.”

Personnel for John Evans & Dream: Ron Jones (saxophones & flute), Larry Spencer (trumpet & flugelhorn), Andy Timmons (electric guitar), Brady Mosher (guitars), Johnny Hooper (guitars), John Evans (keyboards), Chuck Rainey (Fender bass), Gene Glover (congas & percussion), Mike Collier (drums & vocals), Jennifer Perryman (vocals), Rosana Eckert (vocals), Annagrey Labasse (vocals).

Born in New York City, Evans started piano lessons at age four. A few years later, John saw the movie ”The Benny Goodman Story” and was inspired to learn how to play the clarinet. He went to the school band teacher hoping to check out a clarinet, but, as luck would have it, everyone else had seen the movie the day before and there were no more clarinets. The band teacher told John that they only had one alto sax left, so John started playing alto. In the sixth grade, he switched to tenor sax and continued playing tenor for nearly twenty years. Evans attended Phillips University. After returning to New York City, he studied tenor with the late, great Clifford Jordan.

Evans served in the US Army with a tour in South Korea as an entertainment specialist, booking USO shows, playing in combos and doing shows for the troops in isolated areas. He started showing an interest in the electric bass. Completing his tour of duty, he returned to New York (1970), he continued freelancing on tenor.

Finding it difficult to earn a good living playing saxophone in Manhattan, Evans switched to electric bass and almost immediately was working full time. Prior to becoming a free-lance recording musician, John held the bass chair for a series of shows on Broadway...The Original Godspell...The Magic Show with Doug Henning...Evita...and some lesser known shows.

Began studying composition and arranging. He has composed, arranged and produced music for Sports Illustrated and Time Life.

Worked with David Sanborn on the RIAA, Certified Gold, Grammy Nominated, Hideaway” album. Evans composed and co-penned “Creeper” with Sanborn. It was the tune that became the single release from the album.

Formed “The John Evans Band”. They were fortunate enough to be one of the New York bands that often played at Mikell's, a well-known musicians' hangout at that time. Hiram Bullock, Paul Shaffer, Steve Jordan, Clifford Carter, Doane Perry, Lou Volpe and other session musicians were, at times, a part of the band.

Played “Late Night with David Letterman”. The Late Night band at the time was Paul Shaffer, Steve Khan (who was filling in for Hiram Bullock), Steve Jordan and Evans (who was filling in for Neil Jason), who was subbing for Will Lee.

Moved to Los Angeles. Worked with Elliott Randall, Cornell Dupree, Jeff Baxter, Tom Pierson's Big Band and a host of others.

Evans now lives with his wife, writer and lyricist, Sandy Evans, in Texas.