Lee Evans, also known as LeRoi Evans and LeRoy Evans, is an American record producer, recording engineer, songwriter, musician, entrepreneur, businessman and the CEO and co-owner of JAMBOX Entertainment. He currently resides in midtown Manhattan, New York.
Biography
Lee Evans was born and raised in the Sound View section of Bronx New York. Starting as a child, through the ages of 14–17 years old, Lee Evans put together some of his talented friends from "Monroe Projects" in the Bronx. He formed, wrote, arranged, played piano and sang in the young harmony group “The Fourth Edition” a group that went on to win amateur night at the legendary Apollo Theater six times, sharing the stage with artists that shaped pop music as we know it today such as, Stephanie Mills, Michael Jackson and The Jackson 5, The Dells, The Delfonics and James Brown. After graduating from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art then on Convent Avenue in Harlem NYC and attending Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Bronx Community College & City College, he started performing as a band member and/or musical director for acts such as The Jimmy Castor Bunch, Brass Construction, Kleer, New Edition, Johnny Gill, salsa artist Willie Colón and as a musical director for The Force M.D.s, Afrika Bambaataa, and a host of others. On the recording side, he worked with such notable producers as Dan Hartman, songwriter Paul Vance, DJ Freddy Bastone, JOSE "DJ ANIMAL" Diaz, Music Producer Randy Muller, and music manager Donny Linton. As a songwriter/producer and recording engineer, Lee Evans many accomplishments include his work with singer Marc Anthony, Cyndi Lauper, Harry Belafonte, The Force M.D.s, Brass Construction, Rainy Davis, Glen Jones, Afrikaa Bambaataa and a list of dance, hip hop and freestyle favorites from the 1980s and early 1990s, including artists Cyre, and The Cover Girls. In the early 80s, Mr. Evans became a touring musician. After over a decade on the road playing in the major arenas and clubs of virtually every major city nationwide, Mr. Evans embarked on several world tours, earning international recognition for his musical abilities. A few years later, Mr. Evans saw the need to establish himself locally and decided against going on any more lengthy tours. He stood by his word turning down an opportunity to tour internationally as the opening act for Madonna's La Isla Bonita world tour. Mr Evans still tours with Funk Band Brass Construction On the local scene, he did a stint as the house band keyboard player at a popular nightclub in Manhattan called 'The Cellar'. Here he backed up such notable artists as Johnny Kemp, Meli'sa Morgan, and Keith Sweat along with saxophonist Vincent Henry, Drummer Ralph Rolle, keyboardist John Adams, and other musical sidemen. In 1980, Evans started JAMBOX Recording Studios in his basement apartment in The Bronx, which in 1992 he incorporated and expanded into JAMBOX Entertainment, a full-service recording facility in Manhattan. In 1999, Evans started the AET Audio Engineering Program, with the intentions of teaching his audio engineering techniques to new and upcoming music artists and producers. In 2004, Evans introduced his latest brainchild "The Gift Of Song". A service that reached out to non-professionals and gave them a shot in the 'studio'. In 2006, Lee Evans along with Cathy Palmisano and accomplished music producer/composer Dante Lattanzi of Caelum Music Production formed 4Sight Music Productions, a company that went on to produce the Naked Cowboy's debut album "The Year of the Cowboy". Lee Evans is also a co-founder and the music director of Reach Out Inc. a non-profit organization that educates and promotes awareness about the perils of illegal drugs, alcohol abuse, tobacco, crime, violence, prejudice, and life-threatening diseases such as AIDS. Reach Out Inc.'s presentations are characterized by the use of interactive, high-energy presentations that intertwine music, dance, and motivational speaking. In January 2009, Reach Out's president Lori Michaels and Music Director Lee Evans received notability as "Person Of The Week" on NY1 News.
