Evan Christopher

Mr. Christopher was born in Long Beach, California and began his musical training on clarinet at the age of 11. In high school, he received the Louis Armstrong National Jazz Award and was one of the first graduates of the prestigious Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts. He continued his studies at the University of Southern California on music scholarships and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in music from California State University, Long Beach.

After working, touring and recording with various bands and artists in California, Christopher moved to New Orleans. He quickly entrenched himself in the local music scene, appearing with top musicians as stylistically varied as veterans of Preservation Hall and Al Hirt to funk and brass bands like the Nightcrawlers and Galactic, but left in 1996 to join The Jim Cullum Jazz Band.