In a 2016 OffBeat review of The Golden Whippet of Algiers, Tom McDermott wrote “There have been dozens of interesting musicians moving to NOLA in the last few years, none more so than reedman/composer James Evans.” The multi-instrumentalist and composer has become a Frenchmen Street staple in the six years since he moved here from the U.K., playing with  Shotgun Jazz Band, Aurora Nealand & the Royal Roses and Smoking Time Jazz Club among others. As a teenager, Evans toured Europe with Phil Mason’s New Orleans All Stars and has played at such prestigious events as Edinburgh Jazz Fest, Ascona Jazz Fest, Internationales Dixieland Dresden, Jazz á Vienne and elsewhere.

On Sunday, August 19, he’ll celebrate the release of his 16th New Orleans recording at Snug Harbor. The Divine Array of Possibilities is a follow-up recording to the aforementioned, critically acclaimed 2016 release. The new album is being described as “a more intimate exploration of James’ original music, opting for a chamber ensemble with minimal over-dubbing.”

The Divine Array of Possibilities, currently available  on CD Baby, Apple iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and at Louisiana Music Factory, features Evans on clarinet and sax; James Singleton on bass; Nahum Zdybel on guitar; and Molly Reeves on rhythm guitar (on one track only). 

There are two shows on August 19, one at 8 p.m. and another at 10 p.m. The show is open to ages 13+. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at https://snugjazz.com/ or at the door. The line-up for the night of the show will be a bit more expanded than the album and will include:

James Evans- reeds
Byron Asher- reeds
Tomas Majcherski- reeds
James Singleton- bass
Nahum Zdybel- guitar

For more information, visit www.jamesevansjazz.com.