Throughout his 20-year career as a solo artist, saxophonist Bill Evans has explored a variety of musical settings that go well beyond the confines of traditional jazz, including hip-hop, fusion, reggae, Brazilian and slamming funk. Evans steps into more adventurous territory on Soulgrass, blending jazz, funk and bluegrass into a seamless and wholly unique hybrid of quintessentially American styles.

Born on February 9, 1958 in Clarendon Hills, Illinois, Evans started on piano before switching to tenor sax in high school. After one year of studying music at North Texs State Univeristy he transferred to William Patterson College in New Jersey in 1978 and also began private studies with sax great and former Miles Davis sideman, Dave Liebman. Through Liebman’s recommendation, he was tapped by Miles in 1980 to play a key role in Miles’ celebrated comeback band. Bill became Miles’ right-hand man and soloistic foil in concert and on a series of recordings -- 1981’s The Man With The Horn, 1982’s We Want Miles, 1983’s Star People and 1984’s Decoy. After leaving Davis’ band in 1984, Evans joined John McLaughlin in a reconstituted edition of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, appearing on 1985’s Mahavishnu and 1987’s Aventures in Radioland. He also toured and recorded through the 80s with the band Elements (with keyboardist Cliff Carter, bassist Mark Egan and drummer Danny Gottlieb) and through the ‘90s with Petite Blonde (an all-star fusion band he formed which was comprised of bassist Victor Bailey, drummer Dennis Chambers, guitarist Chuck Loeb and Evans on tenor and soprano saxes) and also with former Police guitarist Andy Summers. More recently, Evans has toured Europe and the States with the Soulbop band, which he co-leads with trumpeter Randy Brecker.

Bill’s solo debut came in 1984 with Living in the Crest of a Wave and he followed up in 1985 with Alternative Man . In the early ‘90s, he was one of the first to blend hip-hop and jazz in a musical way on a triumverate of recordings -- 1993’s Push, 1994’s Live in Europe and 1995’s Escape. He followed those groundbreaking recordings with 1997’s Starfish & The Moon, 1999’s Touch and 2001’s Grammy nominated Soul Insider, which featured a guest appearance by soul-jazz legend Les McCann. Bill followed that success with 2003’s groove-oriented Big Fun, which featured a cameo spot by country star Willie Nelson. In 2005, BHM Records released the exhilarating Soul Bop Band “Live”, which captured the all-star group fronted by Evans and Randy Brecker and featuring drummer Steve Smith, guitarist Hiram Bullock, bassist Victor Bailey and pianist Dave Kikoski in full stride during a whirlwind summer tour last year. His daring collaboration with Bela Fleck and Nashville session aces Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan and Jerry Douglas on Soulgrass is Bill's latest exploration in an ever-evolving career.

Bill Evans Soulgrass Band Member Biographies

Ric Fierabracci
From his humble beginnings working the side show in his town circus, Ric Fierabracci has established himself not only as a successful bassist in the music industry but also as a top-notch composer and producer as well. As a bassist Ric has traveled to over 47 countries performing with Chick Corea, Billy Cobham, Bill Evans ,Dave Weckl, Andy Summers, Frank Gambale, Steve Smith, Brett Garsed, Brian Bromberg, L.Subramanian, Virgil Donati and many others including his own band. Throughout his career Ric has received numerous awards including being named the Official Bassist for Southern California for an unprecedented six year run from 1997 – 2003. http://www.ricfierabracci.com/

Joel Rosenblatt
Joel Rosenblatt is one of the most in demand drummers in the world. As a sideman, he records well over 50 cds a year and has toured and played with many artists such as Bill Evans , Pure Prairie League, Paquito D'Rivera, Eliane Elias, Steve Khan, Randy Brecker, Lee Ritenour, Matt Guitar Murphy, Dave Samuels, Spyro Gyra, Michel Camilo---Joel was awarded several musical honors in 2005. www.joelrosenblatt.com

Christian Howes
At age 34, Christian Howes is widely established as a path-finding figure on the contemporary violin. Having won recognition and kudos from artists and critics alike, Howes has performed and/or recorded with Bill Evans , Les Paul, Greg Osby, Akua Dixon’s Quartette Indigo, Billy Hart, D.D. Jackson, David Murray, Steve Turre, and Frank Vignola, to name a few. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Howes placed in national classical competitions while still in his teens, and then set out to distinguish himself in jazz, the art of the improvisers. He has become a standard setter for modern jazz violinists. A role model for aspiring string players, Howes has produced 8 albums across a wide musical spectrum. An extremely versatile and flexible artist, this prolific violinist/composer maintains five distinct working ensembles, maintains an active teaching schedule and tours frequently as a bandleader in the U.S. and abroad. www.christianhowes.com

Ryan Cavanaugh
Whether playing straight-up bluegrass, be-bop, or modern country twang, Ryan Cavanaugh strives to be individual and innovative. Ryan started playing the 5-string banjo at the age of 10, and at 12 he was invited to play on stage with Doc Watson and Doug Dillard at a local performance. Around that same time Ryan began performing weekly at WPAQ radio in Mount Airy, and took first place at the Mount Airy Fiddlers Convention's junior banjo competition. By the time he was a teenager he was invited by John McEuen, of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, to perform at the WYO Theater in Sheridan, Wyoming for John's "String Wizards" Tour. Ryan’s banjo style began to expand with the influences of Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Jaco Pastorius, John McLaughlin, and Pat Metheney, among others. Ryan Cavanaugh has won numerous awards including master banjo awards at Rockygrass and Merlefest. www.ryancavanaugh.com