Known professionally as Joel Evans, he's the go-to guy for music that rings with romantic realism, whether heard in Hollywood blockbusters, hip indie films, network or daytime TV dramas.
The hit film Wedding Crashers ranks among Evans' highest profile music
usages, but with over 100 big screen credits and 400 television episodes
there's no shortage of exposure for Cinemasters, Evans' burgeoning
library of custom music that spotlights swing, jazz and big band.
Mentored by a former radio pianist who encouraged his ear training,
when Evans repaired an old FM radio the airwaves delivered another
revelation: the improvisations of Erroll Garner.
Taking up flute, Evans enrolled in studies at Cal State University at
Hayward. After graduating cum laude, he performed with a series of groups, but
quickly realized the fortunes of a jazz flutist were capricious at
best. A stint on piano backing Bobby Freeman ("Do You Wanna Dance")
took Evans to Tahoe and Reno, and watching the rock godfather reiterate
the same patter night after night inspired him to improvise.
Possibly his best training ground came from performing regularly in
upscale hotels. Life imitates art; in the film Rumor Has It, as Kevin
Costner and Jennifer Aniston share an intimate conversation in a hotel
bar, the Joel Evans Combo paints the aural backdrop.
Unlike many instrumental composers, Evans also co-writes complete
songs. "Until it Happens to You" from Mini's First Time provided an
improbable soundtrack to a fight scene with stars Jeff Goldblum and
Alec Baldwin.
A self-professed team player, Evans enlists first call musicians who
can deliver the requisite tones; veterans like Bernadette Peters'
favorite bassist, Mario Suraci and David Rokeach from the Ray Charles
band; seasoned authorities who helped invent the genres his
compositions reference. Co-writers like Nashville-based Lisa Aschmann
and pop/theatrical writer Adryan Russ add to the sterling credibility
of the songs.
Evans confides that the key to his success has simply come by exploring
the sounds and styles he most identifies with: the wealth of classic
American music. "I do excavate that mine; it's like a vein of gold."
