EVYN CHARLES Photos & Past Highlights BUY the CD!


Backyard BBQ's, Boat Parties, Art Gallery Openings, Weddings and Birthdays... I play them all!

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SOME PERSONAL HISTORY

My mother says I have been singing since before I could walk; she recalls pushing my baby stroller and if famous songs of the day were coming out of a radio somewhere, I would sing along. I have been playing music since I was about 7 years old while still living in Fresnes, a suburb of Paris, France (famous for its penitentiary). In those days, I studied the violin and participated in a children's orchestra.
As a young teen, I switched to guitar so I could sing and write my own songs; even then, I carried around a songbook. I always loved a good song whether I wrote it or someone else did.
While in high school and with dreams of becoming the Next Big Thing, I joined or started a few bands (two names I recall are "The Monarchs" and "The Detektives").
After high-school, I worked for Club Med a few seasons where I played music and taught windsurfing among other things.
I enrolled at Berklee College of Music, Boston, and received a world-class music education that continues to be helpful to this day. While enrolled at Berklee, I got involved with numerous bands and musicians, both on live gigs and studio recordings. At that point, I also started using my middle name Charles instead of my birth name Schonbuch, which was proving too difficult for most people to remember, pronounce or spell.
I moved to Los Angeles, California, where I joined bands (I remember "Thinking Out Loud," "UC3" and "The Famous Revue") and collaborated with various musicians, once again playing live and in the studio. While music constituted a major part of my income during those early years in LA, it was not enough to make ends meet. I had to work the proverbial "day job," mostly by doing temporary office work.
Eventually, I decided that I still liked good songs, whether I wrote them or not, and that playing music for a living was preferable to doing anything else. So, for the last few years, I have kept a busy calendar, essentially taking requests and playing parties for a living. I have a repertoire of close to 1,000 songs (oldies to current) that I continue to add to. I appear regularly mostly in Southern California beach towns where I work very hard for very little money but I love what I do.
I have played with an artist from India, appeared at the House of Blues and The Oyster and Beer Festival with Irish Band Sally's Gap, played Rock (Classic to Alternative), Reggae, Soul (Old to Blue-Eyed), Country (and Western, too!), Pop, Jazz (Straight Ahead to Smooth). I have been on stage with Dan Bern, Ted Hawkins ("The Next 100 Years") and Folk legends Ramblin' Jack Elliot and Odetta at the Westwood Folk Festival. One gig was for of a receptive audience of 20,000 only to play a few days later for 4 sad souls, 2 of which being the bartender and the cocktail waitress. I have played in houses of worship of almost every denomination and am a volunteer cantor at Ohr HaTorah temple.
I have been married and divorced. My son E.J. (born December 1999) is the best thing in my life although he has regretfully moved to Sacramento with my ex-wife.
I am now (well) over 30 years old so I am not counting on becoming the Next Big Thing anymore but I still hold out hope that my songs will find a home on some well-known projects. My CD "Spare Me The Details" has been selling well at my gigs since it came out and is available both on iTunes and at CD Baby. Time and money have been in short supply but I am planning to record more of my own songs as well as some cover songs I am particularly fond of.
I became an American Citizen June 22, 2007 during a naturalization ceremony held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. There were 3,631 of us taking the oath that morning. My 7 year-old son E.J. came with me and took photos.

NaturalizationMontage.jpg

If you read this whole thing, thanks for your interest. I hope to see you at a gig soon!


CULVER CITY POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS PICNIC
Sheriff's helicopter

(Click image to visit website)
Bill Bott's Field
Culver City, CA
Most of Culver City's police officers and firefighters were there with their families. The Sheriff's Department landed a helicopter in the middle of a baseball field! There were canine and jaws of life demonstrations. The day also served to honor the memory of firefighter Chuck Baird who recently passed away. He had been the event's co-organizer along with Lt. Dean Williams.
• • •

CULVER CITY'S FIESTA LA BALLONA
Fiesta Banner and Logo

(Click image to visit website)
Veteran's Park
4117 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA
310/253-6632
Free Admission
Fiesta La Ballona has week day events (August 21-24th) held at various locations and culminates in a weekend event (August 25-27th) held at Veteran's Park, 4117 Overland Avenue, Culver City. The weekend event begins Friday evening and runs through Sunday evening. I have played this event nearly every year since 1990, sometimes on the main stage, sometimes other stages. This year, I will perform at the Lion's Club Beer and Wine Garden.
• • •

CITY OF HOPE's NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY
and other Benefit Concerts
City of Hope Logo
(Click images to visit websites)
with percussionist  Dayna Franklin
Dayna Franklin

• • •
Orville Logo   Merrell Logo
(Click images to view commercials)
Yes, that's me playing guitar on these TV commercials!
Thanks to composer and multi-talent
 John Miyagi Author for these and other opportunities.
• • •

RIVIERA VILLAGE HOLIDAY STROLL

(Click image to visit website)
Riviera Village - Catalina & Avenue I
Redondo Beach, CA
310/791-7104
Annual Holiday Stroll and open house. Always lots of family fun!
• • •

THE BULL PEN RESTAURANT
Bull Pen Logo
314 Avenue I
Redondo Beach, CA
310/375-7797
This was a "home" club for me from 2003 to 2007. I was playing there up to 3 or 4 times per week, schedule permitting. This longtime South Bay favorite often turns into a dance party, even on a weeknight!  The food is highly recommended.

• • •
PALAZZO at PARK LA BREA
Palazzo Logo
(Click image to visit website)
6220 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA
888/773-0145
L.A.'s most desirable luxury apartment and townhome community across from The Grove is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the world's most vibrant city. I played their fun and successful poolside "beach" party.
• • •
SIDEWALK CAFE
Sidewalk Cafe

(Click image to visit website)
1401 Ocean Front Walk
Venice Beach, CA
s 310/399-5547
In their own words "Known the world over as the best place to people watch in Los Angeles." Right on the Boardwalk, it does not get any better than this!
• • •
SHARKS COVE
Sharks Cove Graphic

(Click image to visit website)
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Manhattan Beach, CA
310/545-2683
A classy and fun South Bay sports bar and restaurant just blocks from the beach. They have a very extensive menu. I have been playing there regularly, including the AVP Volleyball Tour Party.
• • •
SAGEBRUSH CANTINA

(Click image to visit website)
23527 Calabasas Road
Calabasas, CA
818/222-6062
The Sagebrush is one of the original classic places to hang out and party SoCal-style.
• • •
TEXAS LOOSEY'S

(Click image to visit website)
22252 Palos Verdes Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90505
310/540-9799
Free Admission
Good food, solid drinks and scantily clad beautiful girls. They even have lingerie shows. I told you I play all kinds of places!
• • •
THE WAREHOUSE RESTAURANT
Warehouse Restaurant Graphic

(Click image to visit website)
4499 Admiralty Way
Marina Del Rey, CA
310/823-5451
"Southern California's most celebrated waterfront eatery. Upscale quality dining in a relaxed, Polynesian-themed atmosphere and outdoor, patio-styled dining area overlooking the private yachts of Marina Del Rey"
• • •

SPAGHETTINI'S GRILL & JAZZ CLUB

(Click image to visit website)

3005 Old Ranch Parkway
Seal Beach, CA
562/596-2199
My friend Anthony Long--a supremely talented saxophonist and an exciting performer--entertains every Sunday at radio station

94.7FM The Wave's Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch
 
and asked me to join him for this event. We even performed music we wrote together!

• • •
TONY'S Fish Market Restaurant

(Click image to visit website)
Redondo Beach Pier, CA
310/376-6223
I play this beautifully located restaurant whenever renowned songwriter-performer  Harold Payne or accomplished entertainer Tom Bellizia ask me to fill-in for them!
• • •
LIAM's Irish Pub
Leprechaun

(Click image to visit website)
1087 South Mount Vernon Avenue
Colton, CA
909/422-9900
The friendliest Pub in the Inland Empire. I have played there often--including St. Patrick's Day--and it is always a good time! The food is excellent and got a terrific review in "Dining Out Magazine."
• • •
LEGACY RESTAURANT & BAR
Legacy Restaurant
1301 Catalina Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA
One of the classiest establishments in the South Bay, sadly this retaurant and bar has closed its doors. Chef-owner Paul Guillemin has a proven track record and is sure to find success again.
• • •
with my band The NeverQuitters
PARKVIEW VILLAGE Celebration!

(Click image to visit website)
4195 Viking Way
Long Beach, CA

We have also played many of their other events!
• • •
International Food Court
935 S. Santee St.
Downtown Los Angeles
with Kenny of The NeverQuitters  on Bass and Vocals
• • •
with my trio Songs & Artists
COLORADO CENTER After-Remodeling Party!
Colorado Center Courtyard

(Click image to visit website)
Colorado Ave./Broadway/Cloverfield Blvd./26th Street
Santa Monica, CA
• • •
RESIDUALS
with "Clare Diane & Planet Clare"

(Click image to visit website)
11042 Ventura Blvd.
Studio City, CA
Also played with Clare at other venues. Her CD "RUNAWAY" was on the 46th Annual Grammy Awards nominating ballot for Best New Artist, Best Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance!
• • •
CULVER CITY JULIAN DIXON LIBRARY
4975 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA
310/559-1676
Concert setting
• • •
BUSBY'S
3110 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA
310/828-4567
Very popular Westside spot
• • •
DURTY NELLY'S Irish Pub & Restaurant
Durty Nellys 8/15/03
72-286 Highway 111 (at Fred Waring Drive)
Palm Desert, CA
760/674-8225
This is the place to party when in the Palms Springs area. Good food, too!
• • •
HIGHLAND GROUNDS
742 N Highland Ave
Los Angeles, CA
323/466-1507
Hosted--and performed at--the inaugural evening of BERKLEE ON STAGE, a showcase of songwriters who attended BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC.
• • •
WHITES GALLERY
Whites Gallery 9/20/03

(Click image to visit website)
2414 Honolulu Avenue, Montrose, CA
818/957-4071
Various community events hosted by gallery
• • •
with "Sally's Gap"  Celtic Rock Band
RUSTY'S Surf Ranch

(Click image to visit website)
256 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA
310/393-7437
following Twilight Dance Series--Free concert on the pier
• • •
Frank & Dean's Supper Club

(Click image to visit website)
3768 E. Colorado Blvd.
Pasadena, CA
• • •
KUA'AINA Hawaiian Restaurant
with "Anthony Long & Second Soul"
(Listen here)
119 Broadway
Santa Monica, CA
310/394-0100

Kua'Aina Flyer
• • •

For references or booking information, please call 310/291-5534 or Email.
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Updated July 2017 
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