Josh Evans, born and raised in Hartford, CT, was drawn to the trumpet after hearing a Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie recording at the age of 10. Josh began studying with Raymond Dr. Rackle Williams and within a year he would be performing regularly with Dr. Rackles Sound Griot Brass Band. By 13 his musical career would begin to take shape when he began to study with and be mentored by the celebrated alto saxohonist/composer, and educator Jackie McLean. Studying under McLean who shared the bandstand with Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, and Art Blakey would be pivotal in Josh's career. The experience would blaze the path for performances with Jackie McLean which included the Blue Note, Iridium, Regattabar, and the Bushnell Center for Performing Arts.

In April 2005 Josh began a Three and a half year stint with the Winard Harper Sextet, touring the United States performing and conducting master classes. The group personal at different points consisted of Billy Taylor, Frank Wess and George Cables, as well as trumpet players Terrell Stafford, Claudio Roditi and Phillip Harper. The group would also record a wonderful album for Piadrum Records. In April 2007, Josh was invited to perform a two week tour of Siberia with master saxophonist, and composer Benny Golson. It was during this time period that Evans would also start performing with master Drummer Rashied Ali and would become the bands trumpet player for the next two years. The Rashied Ali Quintet toured 18 different countries and recorded one CD Live in Europe. Josh Evans would play with Rashied Ali until the drummers untimely death in 2009. Evans excelled as a sideman with such notables as Cedar Walton, Benny Golson, Ralph Peterson, Rene McLean, Grachan Moncur III, Steve Davis, Winard Harper, Shelia Jordan, Mickey Bass, Bob Mover, and Rashied Ali.

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weblinks:

www.joshevansmusic.com