Evan Christian

Evan Christian has established himself both in Milwaukee and internationally as a rising performer. Despite a growing international reputation he can still be found playing the Jazz Estate every Wednesday night. Those who come to his one man acoustic performances will find that Christian brings an international feel home, and opens pathways to the world through his music.

The Jazz Estate may well be an ideal setting for such a crossroads encounter. Although the act was a solo one, last night's performance was, in a sense, set to the accompaniment of a comfortably warm spring evening after many winter nights. A new sense of life seemed ready to break free in both inside and outside of the club. As Christian's flamenco guitar opened the act, one could almost imagine oneself transported on a pathway to the yet warmer climate of Spain. As the spanish vibe began to fill the air, it did so in tune with the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere of the Estate created by the candle-lit tables, the hanging red and green lanterns, and the vague sense of a history of many fine performances commemorated in photographs along the walls.

Christian's flamenco style brought out both the technical side of flamenco as well as its bold character. He picked his way through precise progressions to punctuated, percussive knocks with his fist against the guitar mimicked the now exacting, now bold nature of the dance itself. As he went further into his performance, he began to integrate this flamenco style with elements from hip-hop, using especially oral sound effects to create rhythm. He later contrasted the uptempo mode of this playing with the lazy, end of summer sounds of mississipi delta blues guitar.
- www.examiner.com

Don’t hate Evan Christian because he’s talented.

And don’t hate this 29-year-old songwriter and flamenco guitarist because he knows exactly what he wants, either.

His goals may be simple, but they’re in no way small. He wants to be the best flamenco guitarist in the country, then make a name for himself internationally.

“I want to blow people away,” he declares.

It’s a balmy afternoon in Bay View, and we’re sitting on the floor in his studio, listening to tracks he just started recording on Pro Tools. These were raw songs, unmastered and unmixed, mainlined from his brain to his computer. And yet the musical precision – the high-speed tempo changes, the effortless fusion of jazz, flamenco, blues and even a little hip-hop – was all there.

“I don’t have self-esteem issues with my music,” Christian said. “I know what I can do. . . . I represent my music proudly.”

As he should; it’s rare enough to find flamenco guitarists in the Midwest. But a young, black flamenco guitarist from Milwaukee? Christian knows he’s a precious commodity. “That’s why I work so hard,” he said.

Don’t think he’s an arrogant prick, either. He gives off a sincere, warm vibe that also comes out in his music. Growing up in Milwaukee, the south-side Chicago native picked up the guitar as a teenager and learned to play without formal training.

“I didn’t set out to be a guitar player,” Christian said of his musical background, “but I would hear a song and learn it real quick – I always learned by ear.”

Oddly enough, a hair band inspired him to learn flamenco. When he heard Tesla’s Spanish-influenced guitar solo on “Love Song” from the album “Five Man Acoustical Jam,” he thought, “I gotta learn how to do that!”

The more Christian taught himself, the more he gravitated toward Latin sounds. “I understood that sound more than anything else,” he said. He stocked up on flamenco CDs and practiced constantly, but he didn’t get to play music full-time until he was 21.

That was when, as a bouncer at Cush on the east side, he auditioned for the club’s owners and got a regular Sunday night gig.

“It probably sucked,” he said with a laugh, “but I knew I had to do something!”

Performing regularly, Christian first played with a trio, then a jazz and blues quartet. In 2004, he produced the album “Fuego.”

Last year, he moved to Spain to develop his flamenco-playing skills. He didn’t speak Spanish and didn’t have any friends there, but he bought a one-way ticket and stayed for eight months.

In Spain, Christian discovered a different way of life.

“(In Spain,) you do your thing,” he said. “There are no qualms about it.”

He did what he needed to get by, staying in hostels and moving around a lot. Sometimes he didn’t have enough to eat; other times he ate like a king. Through it all, he soaked up as much flamenco as he could, eventually performing with renowned flamenco guitarists in the country and touring throughout Europe.

The experience, Christian said, forced him to grow as a person. “By not being comfortable all the time, you put yourself in situations that force you to grow. That’s how you can eat in this business.”

Although he’s been back in the States for a while (he toured with R&B singer Cincere in 2006), his love affair with flamenco isn’t over.

Christian practices flamenco guitar at least three hours a day. “You have to, if you want to be the best,” he said.

In his studio, there’s a stack of more than 20 notebooks full of songs. He writes tracks – hip-hop, alternative, R&B – and plans to sell them in New York City, where he’s moving by the end of the year. It’s another goal he’s driven to meet.

And speaking of goals, Christian ultimately wants to take flamenco-playing in America to another level. He wants to sing and play flamenco guitar at the same time, a feat many would think is impossible.

“You have to believe in yourself,” Christian said. “If you do, it’s amazing what can happen.”



- RedOrbit.com

On a warm August 4th the air was steeped in humidity. Evan Christian confidently took the stage first at Café Lulu, armed with an impressive conglomeration of funk, flamenco and pop. He sat with his left leg calmly crossed over his right and launched into a wordless flamenco workout with soul underpinnings. Midway through this tune Christian already had the audience’s attention. He then immediately segued into his cover of Willie Dixon via Howlin’ Wolf’s “Spoonful”. It was powerful and rhythmic and heads began nodding instinctively. Another highlight was a Spanish language song that showed off his deft ability to be simultaneously grimy and sophisticated. Then into his driving original song “The Money” which was propelled by his usage of the guitar as percussion. He then played a string of crowd pleasing covers including “Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, “Redemption Song” from Robert Nesta Marley and “In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel. He made all of these songs his own by draping them in his Ritchie Havens-esque emotive rasp. Christian then finished his set by having everyone in the crowd sing Prince’s “Purple Rain” with him, which everyone did gleefully. When Christian was done, the attention turned to three artists creating a spontaneous folk art painting. The addition of live art was a very nice touch for a night already flowing well.
- Local Playlist (Milwaukee WI)

Evan Christian has established himself both in Milwaukee and internationally as a rising performer. Despite a growing international reputation he can still be found playing the Jazz Estate every Wednesday night. Those who come to his one man acoustic performances will find that Christian brings an international feel home, and opens pathways to the world through his music.

The Jazz Estate may well be an ideal setting for such a crossroads encounter. Although the act was a solo one, last night's performance was, in a sense, set to the accompaniment of a comfortably warm spring evening after many winter nights. A new sense of life seemed ready to break free in both inside and outside of the club. As Christian's flamenco guitar opened the act, one could almost imagine oneself transported on a pathway to the yet warmer climate of Spain. As the spanish vibe began to fill the air, it did so in tune with the lively, yet relaxed atmosphere of the Estate created by the candle-lit tables, the hanging red and green lanterns, and the vague sense of a history of many fine performances commemorated in photographs along the walls.

Christian's flamenco style brought out both the technical side of flamenco as well as its bold character. He picked his way through precise progressions to punctuated, percussive knocks with his fist against the guitar mimicked the now exacting, now bold nature of the dance itself. As he went further into his performance, he began to integrate this flamenco style with elements from hip-hop, using especially oral sound effects to create rhythm. He later contrasted the uptempo mode of this playing with the lazy, end of summer sounds of mississipi delta blues guitar.

Such was the evening's experience, which repaid both casual and more serious listeners alike. - Examiner.com

van Christian’s commitment to mastering the flamenco guitar was so great that he moved to Spain to study the craft. That’s not to say that his playing is completely grounded in tradition, though. In the studio, he pairs his flamenco guitar riffs with smooth, hip-hop-inflected neo-soul and synthesized, peppy funk in the vein of Prince. He plays his regular Wednesday night gig at the Jazz Estate at 10 p.m. - ExpressMilwaukee.com

All I could think, during last Saturdays show at The Social (434 S. 2nd St.), was where did they find this kid? Evan Christian, the leader of a great trio, is one of the most versatile guitarists I have ever seen.

Christian's flamboyant guitar work is a mix of Jimi Hendrix and Prince and he has the stage presence to match. He played the guitar with his teeth and was exceptional at playing solos with the guitar behind his head. It would have seemed appropriate for him to burn his guitar at the end of the show.

Christian played blues, flamenco, rock, r&b, jazz, funk and hip-hop, moving between the styles flawlessly. A few songs broke down into all out percussion jams, with Evan on congas and drummer Terry Spears on a djembe. The trio kept the crowd wondering was coming next.
- OnMilwaukee.com