Rick Evans Jazz Performer and Entertainer

"Rick's heart is as beautiful as his voice. A short time after Rick's wedding I asked him how, at our age, he could maintain the schedule and go to all the places he does. He replied, "It's simple. I take naps." "On Saturday, May 24th Rosemary and I went to Jazz Central to see Rick Evans and friends. This group was really on and Evans brought a whole new meaning to the song "Danny Boy", which he had to sing twice because of the audience demands."

"When I'm at home listening to CD's I sometimes stop and ask myself "who is that singing" and then I realize it's my friend Rick. What a wonderful voice, I think, and what a wonderful man to have for a friend."

Ron Gable, Jazz writer for The City Paper and 6 other newspapers, webmaster for jazzadvocate, and promoter for "Bring Jazz Back To Downtown" and "Bring Jazz Back To The Family."

"A Singer's singer. If a trip down memory lane is in order he will take you there. Close your eyes and you will be on a nostalgic trip. Rick Evans is a man of great talent."

"The only man I know that's older than me and is still singing everyday. His work at the nursing homes is abeautiful thing."

Rick was born in Harlem, New York in 1933. He began his singing career in church. He also sang in his school plays and musicals. He grew up a couple of blocks from the Cotton Club. Rick would hang around there and listen to the acts of Billie Eckstein,Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, and many other performers appearing there. He would then go home and entertain his aunt and other family members with the same music he had listened to there.

Rick enlisted in the U. S. Air Force at the age of 17. While he was stationed in Korea he performed with the USO troops and also with the base entertainment group. This group would provide shows and comedy for the troops and Rick has often said that the main song line was the bullets that flew through the camp.

While in Korea he performed with the Benny Goodman Orchestra, Bob Hope Troupe, and the many USO shows. While in the Philipines he also performed with the USO shows. While in Thailand he performed with the "Malaysian Trio" and again entertained the troops and the public. Rick always had a group to perform with when he was stationed stateside. He performed in Officer's Clubs and NCO clubs United States wide.

After the military Rick retired in the Dayton area. He worked for the US Post Office for almost 20 years. While he delivered the mail he was given the nickname "The Singing Postman."

Rick became a student of Frank Sinatra at an early age. He watched and listened to his shows and to his music. Sinatra had a smooth and mellow style which suited Rick's personality totally. When you listen to his music and watch his shows you are quickly remined of the Sinatra style. Many have likened him to Billy Eckstein. With his deep rich baritone voice he has developed his own unique style.

Rick was given the nickname "Panama Jack" by the mother of the owner of Jazz Cental, Miss Freddy. Rick always wears a panama hat when he sings and earned the distinction of being named "Male Vocalist of the Year" for 4 years at Jazz Central. He still performs there on Sunday night. He has also performed with the Jazz Central Big Band, Johnny Mack Super Big Band, and Gem City Jazz Big Band. Rick also founded the Masters of Jazz almost 6 years ago and he says without Jim and Vinnie he would never have made it.

Rick recently celebrated his 75th birthday. Rhine McLin, mayor of Dayton, presented Rick with an honorary day being named for him. He had over 200 guests at his party. The only thing that has slowed him down was a bout with cancer a few years ago and a circulation problem in his leg. Since most of his health problems are gone he is more active now than most people.

"Being able to sing and perform , at my age, is a blessing from God. I thank Him everyday that He allows me to do this. When I can make people smile and respond to me that makes it all wothwhile. The friends that I have made and the many thousand people I have met is a life-experience that few can share. I feel like I am the most fornuate of people," stated Evans at his birthday party.

Rick is married, the father of 5 children and 3 step children, grandfather of 16 and great-grandfather of 3 (see photos). Rick and his group are currently working on 2 other CD's and plan to release them in early September.