Eric Evans Delivers a new Smooth Jazz Single “Easy Strides”
Eric Evans is a Smooth Jazz artist originally from San Diego, California. His music carries a warm and easy feeling, much like the place he grew up. His latest single, Easy Strides, shows exactly what he loves about making music—simple moments, good energy, and a natural flow that feels honest and real. The idea for Easy Strides began when Evans heard his friend Gary Santo-Pietro’s acoustic track “Easy Over” from Gary’s all-acoustic guitar album. Evans connected with the melody right away and asked if he could turn it into a full-band version. Gary agreed, and once the drums and bass were added, the music took on a new life. The groove felt like riding a bike on an easy, peaceful cruise, so Evans suggested renaming the track Easy Strides. Gary liked the idea so much that he came back to re-record the acoustic guitar parts to match the new vision.
The song then grew into a true team effort within the Soundtracks to Life collective. Evans worked closely with Phil Johnson and David Eugene Ivey, sharing mixes and ideas back and forth over a couple of years. Near the end of the process, when the song finally felt close to finished, David sent a message saying he had an idea for a chorus. He shared the lines, “By the tides… step outside… enjoy the ride… these are easy strides.” The moment Evans and Phil heard it, they both responded with the same reaction, “Yes. That’s it.” Once the vocals were added, everything fell into place. That was the moment the song felt complete.
With Easy Strides, Evans hopes to capture a very specific feeling, the moment on a long bike ride when everything just works. The wind hits just right, the light feels soft, the motion is smooth, and the whole world seems to slow down. It’s not about getting anywhere fast; it’s about being fully present and enjoying the ride. He wants listeners to feel encouraged to step outside, breathe a little deeper, and let the groove take over. The music mirrors that feeling. The warm Rhodes and acoustic guitar feel like sunlight breaking through the trees. The flute and octave guitar lines act like small surprises you notice when the road curves and the ocean comes into view. The easy drum groove becomes the rhythm of steady pedaling. And the soulful vocals roll in like gentle waves, keeping everything moving forward with calm energy.
Listen to 'Easy Strides'
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