James Evans’ New Orleans Wizards
James Evans (clarinet/sax/vocals). Though still in his thirties, James has been playing professionally for over 17 years and has become known for his adventurous and energetic playing on clarinet and saxophone and in many performances for his jazz singing. The late Humphrey Lyttleton described him as ‘a national treasure’ and remarked on several occasions 'James' music and the way it is performed is hard to classify, but always stimulating, with high creative energy and spontaneity, which brings a real freshness and accessibility'.
Joined by young ‘slap bass stylist’ Tom Wheatley (double bass), his virtuoso father Martin Wheatley (banjo/guitar) a stalwart of the London Jazz scene, Dom Pipkin (piano) Mike Pointon (trombone) who is probably Britain’s leading exponent of ‘tailgate’ trombone and Alan King (drums, renowned for his sensitive and grooving style.