Educated at Carleton University (1993–2000), it was there that Evans discovered jazz when she "got lost in the elevators of the Loeb Building and found the Music department on the ninth floor of the A tower." She went on to spend seven years there and earned two BAs in Law and English before starting on her MA in Law in 1997. Those studies were put on hold as she focused on her music career.[1] She later returned to Carleton as the university's Artist-in-Residence.[2]
In 2004 Evans won second place at the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition,[3] where Quincy Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Al Jarreau were among the judges. In 2006, she released her debut album Fight or Flight? for which was nominated for a 2007 Juno award.
In 2013, Evans was struck by lightning while inside her home.[7] Her career was initially on hiatus as a result, and in 2015 her friend Amanda Martinez launched a successful crowdfunding campaign to help Evans with living and health expenses.[7] In November 2015, Evans then fainted while getting out of the bath, causing a head injury followed by post-concussion syndrome.[8] As a result of breathing difficulties and dizziness she was unable to sing.[8] However, eventually Evans returned to singing in 2018 and that year was nominated for the JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year for her album Come On.[8] The album was recorded in Belgium, and explores the different stages of a relationship.[8]
She returned for her first concert in France on 16 May 2019 for the Jazz Festival à Saint-Germain-dès-près, with two other concerts in France in October 2019 and, finally, a concert tour throughout France from 6 March 2020 through 30 April 2020.
Embracing Voices – by Jane Bunnett (Vocalist and co-writer – track 1 "Sway", track 2 "Kaleidoscope", track 4 "Serafina" and track 12 "The Only One") – winner, 2009 Juno Award for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year
The Manhattan Connection – by Various Artists, Songs of Jose Mari Chan – 2011 – (track 4, "I Have Found My World in You" and track 7, "Easier Said Than Done")
Ottawa for Haiti – by Various Artists – (2011, Track 9, 'Still I Rise')
Northern Faction 5 – by Various Artists (2012, Balanced Records Inc, Track 6 – "Lost" [Rise Ashen Remix])
