Storyville Centennial Project at Umbria Jazz Winter Festival at Palazzo Del Popolo

New Orleans native Don Vappie and clarinetist Evan Christopher share a
passion for traditional New Orleans music. They've been working together
to reimagine the repertoire from the traditional New Orleans canon of the
Storyville Era (1897-1917).

Their mission to keep New Orleans music traditions vibrant, authentic,
relevant and evolving has led to the creation of their new ensemble, the
Storyville Centennial Project.

Evan Christopher on Don Vappie:
Every time Don and I work together, the list of songs that inspire us gets
longer, yet we both search for ways to personalize them. For instance,...

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New Orleans native Don Vappie and clarinetist Evan Christopher share a
passion for traditional New Orleans music. They've been working together
to reimagine the repertoire from the traditional New Orleans canon of the
Storyville Era (1897-1917).

Their mission to keep New Orleans music traditions vibrant, authentic,
relevant and evolving has led to the creation of their new ensemble, the
Storyville Centennial Project.

Evan Christopher on Don Vappie:
Every time Don and I work together, the list of songs that inspire us gets
longer, yet we both search for ways to personalize them. For instance,
once I asked Don to sing Morton's risque lyrics as beautifully as he would
sing a romantic ballad. He killed it, and we started thinking more openly
about the tradition.

With special attention to fundamental values of virtuosity and individual
expression, Christopher and Vappie have hand-picked from a pool of
younger New Orleans-based players who share enthusiasm for their
hometown's rich musical legacy and are dedicated to having their own
voice.

Don Vappie on Evan Christopher:
He's expanded beyond the typical repertoire and moved into whatever
song he hears in that style. And that voice, man. He's really just got his
voice on the horn. He's not a clarinet player. He's Evan Christopher.

Vappie and Christopher have been showcased together at festivals from
Chicago to Moscow and, of course, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage
Festival.

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