Who was Rick Evans?
A wonderful jazz singer, winner of 2010-11 Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District Lifetime Achievement Award and dear friend of mine passed away on Tuesday, July 9th.
Excerpt of an article by Adam Alonzo contributing writer for the Dayton Daily News:
The Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District gave significant recognition to jazz vocalist Rick Evans, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award of $10,000 for his outstanding musical accomplishments and community contributions. “(He) has touched so many lives through music, his commitment to the preservation of jazz, and his outreach to seniors and people in need,” said County Commissioner Debbie Lieberman.
“I’ve never read a note of music in my life,” Evans remarked at the award ceremony. “I’ve never had a voice lesson or anything like that, yet still I love music.” He took to the stage himself during his career in the Air Force, singing in USO shows and base entertainment programs in the U.S. and overseas. After retiring from the military, Evans settled in Dayton and began to work for the postal service. While he delivered the mail, he was given the nickname “The Singing Postman,” Evans remained active as an entertainer in the area, performing with the Masters of Jazz combo and the Dayton Jazz Orchestra. He sang regularly for the residents of more than 150 nursing homes, traveling to many remote locations throughout seven counties. “Thank God for the GPS,” he said. “I think I’m the only one in the world who has a wheelchair brigade,” Evans said of his elderly listeners. “It warms the heart to see them smile, to laugh, to sing, even get up and dance and have a good time remembering what I call the good old days,”
It is was with great pride that I had submitted the name of Richard Lee Evans for Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District’s 2009-2010 Lifetime Achievement Award. Rick had so many fans and friends that I felt extremely lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to be his nominator.RIP Rick Evans
A memorial service will be held 6:00 P.M., WEDNESDAY, July 17, 2013 at Thomas Funeral Home, 4520 Salem Ave. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service. A committal service will be held at the Dayton National Cemetery (date & time TBA) In lieu of flowers please make donations at any W.P.C.U. to The Rick Evans Music Scholarship Fund. In addition some of his musician friends and I are planning a celebration of Rick’s life memorial to be on Monday, August 12th.
Jazz Calendar
Here are some (not all) of the upcoming jazz events for the next couple of weeks:
Today Wednesday, July 17 – The Eleven piece Different Hats Band is at The Dayton Event Connection in Dayton and the Buddy Rich Big Band is at Nighttown in Cleveland Heights.
Thursday July 18 – The Bluebirds Big Band is at Behringer-Crawford Museum in Covington, KY and the Generations Big Band is at Jazz Central in Dayton.
Friday July 19 – Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers is at Jay’s Seafood Restaurant in Dayton and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is on the Columbus Rib Fest, North Bank Park Stage.
Saturday July 20 – Miss Lissa & Company is at Gilly’s and Randy Fankell’s Jazz Militia is at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dayton and James & Moore will be at the C’est Tout Bistro in Oakwood.
Sunday July 21 – A Benefit for Cardell Williams will take place at Gilly’s and The Gospel According to Jazz & Buffet is at Jazz Central both in Dayton.
Monday July 22 – The John Taylor Trio is at Brio Tuscan Grille in Beavercreek and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.
Tuesday July 23 – The North Side Jazz Band performs at The Florentine Restaurant and the Part St. Tavern Jazz Jam continues both in Columbus.
Wednesday July 24 – Ricky Nye is at Chez Nora and Mike Darrah is at Dee Felice both in Covington, KY
Thursday July 25 – There will be a B3 Organ Summit w/Tony Monaco, Lincoln Berry & John Slate at Jazz Central in Dayton.
Friday July 26 – Triple’s All White Party will take place at Jazz Central and the Shawn Stanley Trio plays every Friday at Carvers Steaks & Chops in Centerville.
Saturday July 27 -The NEW Ed Moss Trio w/special guests, is at The Schwartz Point Jazz Club in Cincinnati and The Sleepcat Band is at Dee Felice in Covington, KY.
Sunday July 28 – Dayton’s longest running Jazz Jam Session with Kenny Baccus and
Monday July 29 – Mark Flugge, Derek Dicenzo & Jimmy Castoe are at Due Amici and Vaughn Wiester’s Famous Jazz Orchestra is at the Clintonville Woman’s Club in Columbus.
Tuesday July 30 – Jazz Cab is at The Greenwich in Cincinnati and Tony Monaco is at the Rumba Café in Columbus
More info and jazz listings can be found atJazzAdvocate.com
