Evan Christian
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Evan Christian

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"Evan Christian"

Evan Christian has established himself both in Milwaukee and internationally as a rising performer. Despite a growing international reputation he can still be found playing the Jazz Estate every Wednesday night. Those who come to his one man acoustic performances will find that Christian brings an international feel home, and opens pathways to the world through his music.

The Jazz Estate may well be an ideal setting for such a crossroads encounter. Although the act was a solo one, last night's performance was, in a sense, set to the accompaniment of a comfortably warm spring evening after many winter nights. A new sense of life seemed ready to break free in both inside and outside of the club. As Christian's flamenco guitar opened the act, one could almost imagine oneself transported on a pathway to the yet warmer climate of Spain. As the spanish vibe began to fill the air, it did so in tune with the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere of the Estate created by the candle-lit tables, the hanging red and green lanterns, and the vague sense of a history of many fine performances commemorated in photographs along the walls.

Christian's flamenco style brought out both the technical side of flamenco as well as its bold character. He picked his way through precise progressions to punctuated, percussive knocks with his fist against the guitar mimicked the now exacting, now bold nature of the dance itself. As he went further into his performance, he began to integrate this flamenco style with elements from hip-hop, using especially oral sound effects to create rhythm. He later contrasted the uptempo mode of this playing with the lazy, end of summer sounds of mississipi delta blues guitar.
- www.examiner.com


"Lofty Goals take Flamenco Guitarist to Spain and Back"

Don’t hate Evan Christian because he’s talented.

And don’t hate this 29-year-old songwriter and flamenco guitarist because he knows exactly what he wants, either.

His goals may be simple, but they’re in no way small. He wants to be the best flamenco guitarist in the country, then make a name for himself internationally.

“I want to blow people away,” he declares.

It’s a balmy afternoon in Bay View, and we’re sitting on the floor in his studio, listening to tracks he just started recording on Pro Tools. These were raw songs, unmastered and unmixed, mainlined from his brain to his computer. And yet the musical precision – the high-speed tempo changes, the effortless fusion of jazz, flamenco, blues and even a little hip-hop – was all there.

“I don’t have self-esteem issues with my music,” Christian said. “I know what I can do. . . . I represent my music proudly.”

As he should; it’s rare enough to find flamenco guitarists in the Midwest. But a young, black flamenco guitarist from Milwaukee? Christian knows he’s a precious commodity. “That’s why I work so hard,” he said.

Don’t think he’s an arrogant prick, either. He gives off a sincere, warm vibe that also comes out in his music. Growing up in Milwaukee, the south-side Chicago native picked up the guitar as a teenager and learned to play without formal training.

“I didn’t set out to be a guitar player,” Christian said of his musical background, “but I would hear a song and learn it real quick – I always learned by ear.”

Oddly enough, a hair band inspired him to learn flamenco. When he heard Tesla’s Spanish-influenced guitar solo on “Love Song” from the album “Five Man Acoustical Jam,” he thought, “I gotta learn how to do that!”

The more Christian taught himself, the more he gravitated toward Latin sounds. “I understood that sound more than anything else,” he said. He stocked up on flamenco CDs and practiced constantly, but he didn’t get to play music full-time until he was 21.

That was when, as a bouncer at Cush on the east side, he auditioned for the club’s owners and got a regular Sunday night gig.

“It probably sucked,” he said with a laugh, “but I knew I had to do something!”

Performing regularly, Christian first played with a trio, then a jazz and blues quartet. In 2004, he produced the album “Fuego.”

Last year, he moved to Spain to develop his flamenco-playing skills. He didn’t speak Spanish and didn’t have any friends there, but he bought a one-way ticket and stayed for eight months.

In Spain, Christian discovered a different way of life.

“(In Spain,) you do your thing,” he said. “There are no qualms about it.”

He did what he needed to get by, staying in hostels and moving around a lot. Sometimes he didn’t have enough to eat; other times he ate like a king. Through it all, he soaked up as much flamenco as he could, eventually performing with renowned flamenco guitarists in the country and touring throughout Europe.

The experience, Christian said, forced him to grow as a person. “By not being comfortable all the time, you put yourself in situations that force you to grow. That’s how you can eat in this business.”

Although he’s been back in the States for a while (he toured with R&B singer Cincere in 2006), his love affair with flamenco isn’t over.

Christian practices flamenco guitar at least three hours a day. “You have to, if you want to be the best,” he said.

In his studio, there’s a stack of more than 20 notebooks full of songs. He writes tracks – hip-hop, alternative, R&B – and plans to sell them in New York City, where he’s moving by the end of the year. It’s another goal he’s driven to meet.

And speaking of goals, Christian ultimately wants to take flamenco-playing in America to another level. He wants to sing and play flamenco guitar at the same time, a feat many would think is impossible.

“You have to believe in yourself,” Christian said. “If you do, it’s amazing what can happen.”



- RedOrbit.com


"Evan Christian"

On a warm August 4th the air was steeped in humidity. Evan Christian confidently took the stage first at Café Lulu, armed with an impressive conglomeration of funk, flamenco and pop. He sat with his left leg calmly crossed over his right and launched into a wordless flamenco workout with soul underpinnings. Midway through this tune Christian already had the audience’s attention. He then immediately segued into his cover of Willie Dixon via Howlin’ Wolf’s “Spoonful”. It was powerful and rhythmic and heads began nodding instinctively. Another highlight was a Spanish language song that showed off his deft ability to be simultaneously grimy and sophisticated. Then into his driving original song “The Money” which was propelled by his usage of the guitar as percussion. He then played a string of crowd pleasing covers including “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Redemption Song” from Robert Nesta Marley and “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. He made all of these songs his own by draping them in his Ritchie Havens-esque emotive rasp. Christian then finished his set by having everyone in the crowd sing Prince’s “Purple Rain” with him, which everyone did gleefully. When Christian was done, the attention turned to three artists creating a spontaneous folk art painting. The addition of live art was a very nice touch for a night already flowing well.
- Local Playlist (Milwaukee WI)


"Evan Christian at the Jazz Estate"

Evan Christian has established himself both in Milwaukee and internationally as a rising performer. Despite a growing international reputation he can still be found playing the Jazz Estate every Wednesday night. Those who come to his one man acoustic performances will find that Christian brings an international feel home, and opens pathways to the world through his music.

The Jazz Estate may well be an ideal setting for such a crossroads encounter. Although the act was a solo one, last night's performance was, in a sense, set to the accompaniment of a comfortably warm spring evening after many winter nights. A new sense of life seemed ready to break free in both inside and outside of the club. As Christian's flamenco guitar opened the act, one could almost imagine oneself transported on a pathway to the yet warmer climate of Spain. As the spanish vibe began to fill the air, it did so in tune with the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere of the Estate created by the candle-lit tables, the hanging red and green lanterns, and the vague sense of a history of many fine performances commemorated in photographs along the walls.

Christian's flamenco style brought out both the technical side of flamenco as well as its bold character. He picked his way through precise progressions to punctuated, percussive knocks with his fist against the guitar mimicked the now exacting, now bold nature of the dance itself. As he went further into his performance, he began to integrate this flamenco style with elements from hip-hop, using especially oral sound effects to create rhythm. He later contrasted the uptempo mode of this playing with the lazy, end of summer sounds of mississipi delta blues guitar.

Such was the evening's experience, which repaid both casual and more serious listeners alike. - Examiner.com


"Evan Christian"

van Christian’s commitment to mastering the flamenco guitar was so great that he moved to Spain to study the craft. That’s not to say that his playing is completely grounded in tradition, though. In the studio, he pairs his flamenco guitar riffs with smooth, hip-hop-inflected neo-soul and synthesized, peppy funk in the vein of Prince. He plays his regular Wednesday night gig at the Jazz Estate at 10 p.m. - ExpressMilwaukee.com


"Christian Plays a Blazing Guitar"

All I could think, during last Saturdays show at The Social (434 S. 2nd St.), was where did they find this kid? Evan Christian, the leader of a great trio, is one of the most versatile guitarists I have ever seen.

Christian's flamboyant guitar work is a mix of Jimi Hendrix and Prince and he has the stage presence to match. He played the guitar with his teeth and was exceptional at playing solos with the guitar behind his head. It would have seemed appropriate for him to burn his guitar at the end of the show.

Christian played blues, flamenco, rock, r&b, jazz, funk and hip-hop, moving between the styles flawlessly. A few songs broke down into all out percussion jams, with Evan on congas and drummer Terry Spears on a djembe. The trio kept the crowd wondering was coming next.
- OnMilwaukee.com


Discography

http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/EvanChristian

Photos

Bio

2011 Best Guitarist ~Shepherd Express
2011 Best Jazz Artist ~Shepherd Express
2011 Best Acoustic Musician ~Shepherd Express
2009 WAMI Guitarist of the Year
2008 WAMI Guitarist of the Year
2007 Best Acoustic Musician ~Shepherd Express

. .. .. .. .. Evan Christian born in Chicago,Illinois raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Recording Artist, Music Producer, Award Winning Flamenco Guitarist, World Traveller. Evan Christian discovered the guitar as a teenager, and without formal instruction has progressed to become one of the most dynamic and sought after solo performers in the business. In 2005 Evan released his debut cd "Fuego", a nuevo flamenco cd which won him international acclaim. Also in 2005, Evan Christian bought a one way ticket to Spain to study flamenco and to promote his cd, and in the process, collaborated and performed with some of Spain's top flamenco players. In 2007 Evan Christian was voted Best Acoustic Musician by the readers of the Shepherd Express in Milwaukee WI.. In 2008 Evan Christian won a WAMI AWARD for ..Guitarist Of The Year... In 2008 Evan Christian was voted one of Milwaukee's Hottest 100 by the readers of OnMilwaukee.com Evan Christian has been featured in Milwaukee Magazine, Black Emerge, The Shepherd Express, M Magazine, INFO Magazine, Ya Heard Magazine, Milwaukee Scene, and MKE Wired. In 2008 Evan Christian released his sophmore cd entitled " The Mosaic vol. 1" a stark contrast to his first cd " Fuego ". The Mosaic vol.1 features the international hit singles " Lovers Be ", "Breakdown", and " Bulerias del Barrio ". It is a collection of songs written within the last 8 years of his career in Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Mosaic vol. 1 also features accompaniment from his band " The Original Gangsters" featuring Milwaukee legends Cecilio Negron Jr ( congas ) Cory Coleman ( bass ) and Olen Franklin ( drums ). It is a mixture of timeless latin, soul, and R&B . His versatility and range are unbelievable, from traditional flamenco to reggae to rock to soul, all delivered with his trademark sound. Evan Christian has performed 2 international tours with Cincere for the Armed Forces Entertainment which took him to Kyrgyztan, Afghanistan, Djibouti, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Turkey. As a solo artist, Evan Christian has performed in New York, Chicago, Madison, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Madrid, Valencia, Valdepenas, Cadiz, Granada, Sevilla, La Coruna, Mazagòn, San Sebastian, Logrono, Tolousse, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Aalborg, Copenhagen, Vienna, Prague, Warsaw, Brussels, Glastonbury, Bristol, Cardiff, Somerset and Budapest....all within the last 2 years. Evan has recently completed a European Tour of Spain - France - Belgium - Holland- Denmark -Poland- Czeck Republic - Austria - Germany - UK - Hungary and is finishing production on his 3rd abum entitled 4LIFE - recorded on the road all over Europe and the UK. For Booking please leave a detailed message here.