The name Dave Evans has gotten much less play in recorded jazz circles than other genres, but perhaps a future era will be noted for an infusion of jazzmen with this common name. Of the four players that have shown up on discographies of recorded jazz, the drummer Dave Evans is certainly the most prolific, having cut more than two-dozen albums beginning in the early '60s. This puts him well in front of the competition from the other Dave Evans on record, two of whom only cut one side each during their careers.

Soothsayers who feel the name has the feel of a trad jazz player are right on the dotted quarter note. Evans approach to drumming and his stylistic interests are so basic that he is sometimes credited with playing only a snare drum. A drummer who can swing a band with just a snare would be a perfect match for an old-school pianist such as Art Hodes. Indeed, Evans, sometimes packing an entire kit, has been a fixture in this pianist's ensembles such as the Magnolia Jazz Band and Art Hodes Blue Five Six. In the '80s, the drummer was affiliated with Butch Thompson's New Orleans jazz revival units. More recent collaborations include gigs with Alton Purnell, Keith Smith, and Warren Vache Sr. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi