Biography
Connie Evingson is a celebrated American jazz vocalist born in 1962 in Hibbing, Minnesota. Raised in the Midwest, she developed an early passion for music that would lead her to become one of the most versatile and adventurous voices in contemporary jazz. Evingson's career is marked by her willingness to explore a wide range of styles, from jazz and Broadway standards to tributes to iconic artists like Peggy Lee and The Beatles. Her discography, released primarily through Minnehaha Music, includes acclaimed albums such as 'Fever: A Tribute to Peggy Lee,' 'Let it Be Jazz: Connie Evingson Sings the Beatles,' and several projects in the 'hot club' gypsy jazz tradition inspired by Django Reinhardt.
Throughout her career, Evingson has performed at prestigious venues and festivals across the United States, Europe, and Japan. She has been a guest artist at Jazz at Lincoln Center alongside Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, and Vince Giordano, and has collaborated with orchestras such as the Minnesota Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony under Doc Severinsen. Her performances on Garrison Keillor’s 'A Prairie Home Companion' and features on NPR and the Smithsonian Jazz Singers radio series have further cemented her reputation. Evingson's voice is noted for its smoky texture and precise articulation, allowing her to bring emotional depth and clarity to genres ranging from bebop and bossa nova to big-band swing and ballads.
Evingson's legacy is defined by her adventurous spirit and her ability to find the heart of a song, captivating audiences and critics alike. She is a two-time recipient of both the McKnight Fellowship for Performing Musicians and the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist’s Initiative Grant. Her ongoing collaborations with leading jazz musicians and ensembles, as well as her standing invitation at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, reflect her enduring influence and commitment to the jazz tradition.
Fun Facts
- Connie Evingson has a standing invitation to perform at the renowned Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, a rare honor for a jazz vocalist.
- She has performed multiple times on Garrison Keillor’s 'A Prairie Home Companion,' a beloved American radio show.
- Evingson's albums consistently charted in the Top 50 Jazz Releases in the U.S. and Canada, reflecting her broad appeal.
- Her adventurous spirit led her to record 'Stockholm Sweetnin'' in Sweden with The Hot Club of Sweden after only meeting the band via email prior to the session.
Associated Acts
- Moore by Four
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Peggy Lee - Major stylistic influence; Evingson created and performed the stage production 'Fever: A Tribute to Peggy Lee' and recorded an album dedicated to Lee's repertoire. (Fever: A Tribute to Peggy Lee (album, stage show)) [2000s]
- Django Reinhardt - Musical inspiration for Evingson's exploration of gypsy jazz and 'jazz manouche' styles. (Gypsy in My Soul, Stockholm Sweetnin', All the Cats Join In (albums)) [2004–2014]
Key Collaborators
- The Hot Club of Sweden - Recorded the album 'Stockholm Sweetnin'' together, blending American jazz vocals with Swedish gypsy jazz musicians. (Stockholm Sweetnin') [2006]
- John Jorgenson Quintet - Collaborated on the album 'All the Cats Join In,' focusing on the jazz manouche style. (All the Cats Join In) [2014]
- Dave Frishberg - Worked together on the album 'Little Did I Dream,' with Frishberg at the piano. (Little Did I Dream) [2008]
- Minnesota Orchestra and Toronto Symphony (conducted by Doc Severinsen) - Guest soloist with both orchestras for special jazz performances. (Live performances) [2000s–2010s]
- Wynton Marsalis, Michael Feinstein, Vince Giordano - Shared the stage at Jazz at Lincoln Center as a guest artist. (Live performances) [2000s–2010s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm Sweetnin' | 2010-06-10 | Album |
| Gypsy in My Soul | 2004-01-01 | Album |
| All the Cats Join In | 2014-10-15 | Album |
| Let it Be Jazz - Connie Evingson Sings the Beatles | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| Sweet Happy Life | 2012-06-15 | Album |
| Some Cats Know | 2010-10-26 | Album |
| Fever, A Tribute to Peggy Lee | 1999-01-01 | Album |
| I Have Dreamed | 2010-10-31 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Nature Boy (Gypsy in My Soul)
- Comes Love (Stockholm Sweetnin')
- Black Orpheus (All the Cats Join In)
- Dream a Little Dream of Me (All the Cats Join In)
- Windmills of Your Mind (Stockholm Sweetnin')
- Out of Nowhere (Stockholm Sweetnin')
- Until (Gypsy in My Soul)
- Lover Man (Stockholm Sweetnin')
- Si Tu Savais (Stockholm Sweetnin')
- Besame Mucho (Stockholm Sweetnin')
External Links
Tags: #vocal-jazz
References
Heard on WWOZ
Connie Evingson has been played 5 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2026 | 07:57 | I've Got The World On A Stringfrom Some Cats Know | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Dec 14, 2025 | 08:21 | I Cover The Waterfrontfrom Gypsy In My Soul | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Nov 16, 2025 | 07:19 | I Wanna Be Lovedfrom Some Cats Know | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Nov 2, 2025 | 07:23 | Django's Premonitionfrom Gypsy In My Soul | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Sep 14, 2025 | 07:40 | More Than You Knowfrom Some Cats Know | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman |