Joe Evans

Joe Evans (October 7, 1916 – January 17, 2014) was a jazz alto saxophonist.

Born in Pensacola, Florida, he was active between 1939 and 1965, playing in the big bands of Jay McShann (coinciding with Charlie Parker), Jimmy Forrest and Gene Ramey; Don Redman and Louis Armstrong. In 1944 he recorded with Mary Lou Williams, as a member of a band including Coleman Hawkins, Bill Coleman and Denzil Best. At the beginning of 1945, he recorded for J. Mayo Williams's independent label, Chicago, leading a combo comprising Jesse Drakes, Duke Jordan, Gene Ramey, J. C. Heard and Etta Jones.

Later that same year and in 1946, he recorded with Andy Kirk's orchestra as part of a lineup that included Fats Navarro, Reuben Phillips, Jimmy Forrest, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Hank Jones, Floyd Smith, Al Hall and Ben Thigpen. Other musicians he performed and recorded with include Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson and Lionel Hampton.

In 2008, University of Illinois Press published his autobiography, Follow Your Heart, co-authored by Christopher Brooks, a professor of anthropology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Evans died in Richmond, Virginia of renal disease on January 17, 2014.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 7, 1916 (Pensacola), Died January 17, 2014 (Richmond)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1945 - 1946

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 73161 10-in. 11/27/1945 Get together with the Lord The Jubalaires ; Andy Kirk instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73162 10-in. 11/27/1945 I know The Jubalaires ; Andy Kirk instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73163 10-in. 11/27/1945 Soothe me The Jubalaires ; Andy Kirk instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73264 1/3/1946 He's my baby Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73265 1/3/1946 Alabama bound Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73266 1/3/1946 Soothe me Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73267 1/3/1946 Doggin' man blues Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73590 5/23/1946 I don't know what I'd do without you Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73591 5/23/1946 I'm so lonesome I could cry Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73751 12/2/1946 Now you tell me Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73752 12/2/1946 Louella Andy Kirk Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73753 12/2/1946 So soon The Four Knights instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73754 12/2/1946 I'm falling for you The Four Knights instrumentalist, alto saxophone  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Evans, Joe," accessed March 27, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/314539.

Evans, Joe. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 27, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/314539.

"Evans, Joe." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 27 March 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/314539

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