FESTIVAL APPEARANCES
Saturday: 1:00 PM on the Charles Neville Main Stage.
See the full schedule

Evan Aarntzen

Clarinetist, Saxophonist, Vocalist, and Educator

Evan Arntzen, Canadian-born musician renowned for his exceptional talents as a distinct and expressive sound, he has captivated audiences and garnered praise from acclaimed writer Ricky Riccardi, a Grammy Award winner.

Raised in East Vancouver, Evan's musical journey was ignited by the vibrant melodies of New Orleans. Under the tutelage of his grandfather, Lloyd Arntzen, he delved into the art of New Orleans-style clarinet at a young age.

At just thirteen, Evan's passion for music led him to discover the tenor saxophone, opening doors to a vast realm of musical possibilities. He dedicated himself to studying the masters of jazz throughout its rich history while also exploring contemporary sounds. Evan honed his craft in the jazz program at Capilano University, where he received guidance from the esteemed saxophone teacher Stan Karp.

In 2014, Evan relocated to the bustling music scene of New York City, where he swiftly made his mark at renowned venues including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Cafe Bohemia, Birdland, Town Hall, Mezzrow, Smalls, and Symphony Space. His talents have also graced prestigious jazz festivals such as Newport, Monterey, and Montreal. From 2017 to 2021, Evan held the lead saxophone chair in Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, a Grammy Award-winning band. He has also been a regular member of Terry Waldo's Gotham City Band and David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band. In 2017, Evan served as the musical director for Jazz at Lincoln Center's "Jazz for Young People" program on Louis Armstrong.

Currently, Evan mesmerizes audiences with his performances alongside esteemed artists including Catherine Russell, Jon-Erik Kellso and The EarRegulars, and Bria Skonberg, while also leading his own ensembles. His exceptional skills can be heard on recordings by Bria Skonberg, Kat Edmonson, Loudon Wainwright III, and award-winning soundtracks for HBO's Boardwalk Empire and Bessie. As a bandleader, Evan has released three highly acclaimed albums: "Evan Arntzen Meets La Section Rythmique" (2017), "Jazz Crush" (2019), and "Countermelody" (2021).

Throughout his career, Evan has had the privilege of performing and recording with numerous notable artists, including Scott Robinson, Wycliffe Gordon, Jason Marsalis, Ken Peplowski, Houston Person, Evan Christopher, Ingrid Jensen, Eddy Davis, Harry Allen, Corcoran Holt, Jerome Jennings, Warren Vaché, Ross Taggart, PJ Perry, Terry Clarke, Brad Turner, Dave Robbins, his parents (Tom and Georgina Arntzen), and even Elmo. He has also had the honor of participating in special performances such as playing in a gold lamé blazer at the 2010 Paralympic Opening Ceremonies for an audience of 50,000 people and appearing in Michael Bublé's 2012 and 2013 Christmas Specials.

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New Location!

The Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival takes place on July 12th – 13th, 2024 in the streets surrounding Stearns Square.

About Us

This festival is produced by Blues To Green, a nonprofit organization that harnesses music and the arts to celebrate community and culture, build shared purpose, and catalyze social and environmental change.
Copyright © 2024 Blues To Green Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Site by Laudable Productions
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