Yve Evans, shown performing at Jazz in the Pines, takes the stage next Thursday for the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series.        File photo
Yve Evans, shown performing at Jazz in the Pines, takes the stage next Thursday for the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series. File photo

Yve Evans, locally popular jazz chanteuse, returns to the Hill “just for the locals.” She has appeared many times at Jazz in the Pines, the annual festival that draws many off the Hill visitors.

“It’s going to be a private party in a public place,” she said of her appearance for Ken Dahleen’s Idyllwild Summer Concert Series.

“This time I’m especially happy to be coming back up to sing for the locals and help celebrate how the town survived the Mountain Fire,” said Evans. Noting the tropical rains that arrived the weekend after the fire began on Monday, July 15, 2013, and helped douse the rapidly advancing flames, Evans said, “It was a miracle.”

Equally at home in gospel and jazz, Evans believes that music is, by nature, celebratory. She is coming to sing at the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 24 to help Idyllwild celebrate the miracle of the rains and the survival of the town for which so many had prayed. “There is so much to celebrate,” she said. “And when one rejoices, we all rejoice.”

Joining pianist and vocalist Evans are Brad Bobo on bass and vocals, Larry Washington on drums and Mike Sims on guitar. Evans said she would also be bringing a horn player but was not yet sure who that would be. “You know how it is,” she said. “What we do is not a hobby, and this is a heavy time for players.”

Evans talked of how jazz is familial, not just a gig. Jazz creates and flows from a family of players united by the story, the history and the love of this uniquely American musical form. “I want to bring that camaraderie that is what we do,” she said.

Trained in opera and classical music, Evans brings a sophisticated pianistic style to her crystal clear and soaring vocals, with gorgeous straight tones that caress and lift the musical stories she tells. Evans’ piano playing recalls Errol Garner and George Shearing — easy on the ear and rich in texture.

Evans and Friends will make it an evening of smiles for a summer night. She takes stage at 7, after Paul Carman opens at 6:15 p.m.

Bring chairs and money — chairs for relaxation and money for the ritual passing of the donation jar that funds the series.

 

Doc Poster’s Rock Rave band performs last Thursday at the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series at the ICC site. Next Week, a Buddy Holly tribute band will take the stage.   Photo by Jenny Kirchner
Doc Poster’s Rock Rave band performs last Thursday at the Idyllwild Summer Concert Series at the ICC site. Next Week, a Buddy Holly tribute band will take the stage. Photo by Jenny Kirchner

Idyllwild Summer Concert Series

7/17 Buddy Holly Band

7/24 Yve Evans

7/31 Bohemio

8/7 New Sensations

8/14 Blue Breeze Band

8/21 Lisa Haley