Song:I Know That You Know
Album:Django A La Creole
The clarinet was the most popular jazz instrument in the early days of jazz especially in the swing era when the most popular bands were led by clarinetists. Of course this all changed when bebop made the saxophone the instrument of choice. Most sax players also play flute and clarinet. So the clarinet could make a comeback but it hasn't except for a few guys like Evan Christopher. He plays traditional jazz in a contemporary style. This is very popular in Europe and Christopher tours a lot there. He was born Aug. 31, 1969 in Long Beach, CA. He studied at USC and California state at Long Beach with Dixieland musicians like Kenny Davern and George Probert. Touring with singer songwriter A.J. Croce (Jim Croce's son) brought Christopher to New Orleans. He moved to San Antonio and was the featured clarinetist in the Jim Cullum Jazz Band for three years. Christopher moved back to New Orleans and released albums as a leader and recorded with Lars Edegran, Jack Sheldon, Tierney Sutton and Dick Hyman. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Christopher moved to France. And that's where he established his band Django A La Creole. Of course the idea is Christopher's music is a mix of French and New Orleans jazz. I Know That You Know is from the 2008 album Django A La Creole featuring Aussie Dave Blenkhorn on electric guitar, Dave Kelbie on acoustic guitar and Sebastien Girardot on bass. They record for the French label Fremeaux & Assoc. I Know That You Know was written by Vincent Yeomans and Anne Caldwell for the 1926 show Oh, Please!. The song was popularized by Benny Goodman in 1936 and it has been recorded by many jazz musicians. Christopher returned to New Orleans in 2008. He still leads Django A La Creole and he plays New Orleans clubs regularly. Here's Evan Christopher and Django A La Creole performing I Know That You Know in France 2010.
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