Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Evra.
Hi Janet, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in England, in a mid-size city called Gloucester, about 100 miles west of London. My family is very musical; my dad is an organist, my mum is a pianist, and my sister plays several instruments. There was always music in the house! I learned a bit of cello, guitar, and piano as a child, and in secondary school, I formed a couple of indie rock bands – all the cool kids were doing it! My American experience began when I came to the USA for a gap year which turned into a college degree. Then, I met my partner, stayed for love, and became a US citizen. About five years ago, I began exploring jazz, jazz pop, Latin jazz, French jazz, and bossa nova and learning to play the upright bass. I write my songs in a style called “indie bossa,” and I perform internationally in St. Louis, across the country, and internationally as a bassist and singer. I love what I do!
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I count myself lucky – it has been wonderful how opportunities have unfolded. For example, in 2019, I started a monthly Sunday brunch show at The Dark Room, run by the wonderful Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Then I heard about their Artist in Residence program, so I applied and was accepted. Then I saw that one of my favorite guitarists in the world, Diego Figueiredo (GRAMMY-nominated), was touring the Midwest, so I asked the Kranzberg folks if we could do a big show at the Grandel Theatre through my residency. They said yes, Diego came, he was amazing, and we had an amazing show – and I realized, “I can play with these world-class people!” That line on my resume then helped me book some jazz festivals in Europe and a USA tour, and I applied for and was accepted for a tour support grant from JazzRoads, the premiere tour support program for jazz musicians. All of a sudden, I was touring!
For example, I played on that tour at Jazz Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. It was a great, sold-out show with a 250-person crowd vibe. A year later, I called them about returning to Buffalo, and they mentioned that 7x GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Randy Brecker would be playing this big jazz festival. I know Randy because he was a special guest on my St. Louis Music Box video series, so I asked if I could play at the festival and have Randy play with me. They said yes, and Randy said yes, and so in August, I’ll be flying my St. Louis jazz quartet to Buffalo to play a big festival with Randy. I can’t wait. It’s all one thing into the next, meeting people, helping people, and getting help from people. It’s been amazing.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a jazz singer, bassist, and bandleader. There are only a few jazz singers who also play bass. There’s Esperanza Spalding, of course, and Nicki Parrott, and there’s also Tonina Saputo from St. Louis – they’re fabulous. But there are only a few of us. I write music in a style I call “indie bossa” – I blend bossa nova and Latin jazz influences with indie styles and a singer-songwriter twist to produce my original signature sound. I look for opportunities to use my music to support causes that are important to me. I’m an environmentalist and a vegetarian, and I support humanitarian causes. I perform at some private events – nonprofit galas, etc. – for groups that do essential environmental and humanitarian work. However, I’d like to find other ways to directly use my voice (literally, ha!) to support and platform these causes.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is simple: be nice to other people and help other people, and they’ll help you too!
Contact Info:
- Website: janetevra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janetevra/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetEvraMusic
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd-y3bFxMXoHkHeTp59rAA
- Other: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janet_Evra
