Wilmington Jazz Hero
After 20 years on the board of the North Carolina Jazz Festival (NCJF) board, 17 as president, Sandy Evans is stepping down. Never fear – that does not mean that Wilmington, NC’s Jazz Hero is retiring from jazz.
That would be most unlikely. Evans’s eight years on the board of the Cape Fear Jazz Society (CFJS) – from 1997 to 2005, the last three as president – were a glorious reign, during which she got what was perhaps her first taste of being able to exercise her passion for presenting world class music to audiences in local venues of southeastern North Carolina. Coupling that passion with a drive to provide young people with opportunities to experience first-hand great performances, Sandy spearheaded efforts to make sure concerts were heard in Wilmington-area public schools. She initiated a Jazz Scholarship Concert with the music department of University of North Carolina WIlmington that still occurs every April – Jazz Appreciation Month – and has resulted in the awarding of 25 musical scholarships.
After retiring from the CFJS board Sandy continued her mission at NCJF. Under her leadership, NCJF showcases an opening night celebration with an overview of each fest edition’s jazz styles, has hd its artists give school concerts and hands-on workshops for music students in small classes, and provides participating students with free concert tickets to see their mentors performing with their ensembles, live. NCJF has also booked local artists to play as opening acts before large national and international audiences in Germany, Japan and Australia.
During 2021 and 2022, to cope with COVID-19 restrictions, NCJF at Sandy’s urging offered live-streamed concerts by jazz musicians and vocalists at no cost to viewers. NCJF paid the performers and solicited donations from the viewing public with 100% of proceeds directed to the musicians. Players and viewers alike were thrilled and the outpouring of love was heartwarming. With the return of a live, in-person North Carolina Jazz Festival in February 2023, Sandy had guided the ship through the storm. Fine time to turn responsibilities over to a new generation to carry things forth. Jazz Hero Sandy Evans is very much still with us, writing and distributing her Jazz Lover’s Newsletter, supporting musicians and venues, keeping Wilmington jazz fans informed.
—By Angelo Galeotti
