The Exceptional Evie B
Staying True to Her Art
By Julie Horner
Eve Berrington excels at who she is, effortlessly dancing through the intersection of her passions with a graceful, unwavering focus. San Lorenzo Valley night owls know Evie B as the statuesque saxophone player who sits in with the boys at the lively pro jams at Henflings Tavern on Sundays. Or you may have watched spellbound as she strides onto the stage as a guest soloist at venues up and down the Valley or in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, electrifying the room and elevating the performance. “I play all over as much as possible,” Evie said.
Actively pursuing music production and honing her sound in front of a live audience, Evie plays tenor sax, electric bass, and sings. Self-taught with a sprinkle of master studies, at age 19 she delved into the Seattle music scene building upon childhood piano studies, moving into woodwinds, drums, and eventually developing a hunger for jazz. “I was always trying new instruments,” she remembers. She lived in New Orleans and traveled European countries learning jazz, rhythm, fusion, hip hop, and R&B.
Eve Berrington sits in at the lively pro jams at Henflings Tavern on Sundays.
An avid hiker, runner, and climber, Evie began practicing grappling, a martial art that controls an opponent without striking, and which includes forms like wrestling, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Analogous to the study of music, grappling requires nuanced technique and expressive performance; the artist must flow and respond to what’s happening in the moment, whether on the mat or on the stage. The two art forms are mentally challenging and require strength, endurance, discipline, and the ability to push beyond perceived limits. Dedication has its rewards, and Evie was invited to participate in an intermediate level National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II match, which took her to Limestone University in South Carolina. “In 2020 I rode my bike across the country to get there. Most of the girls were 18, and I didn’t think I’d be in shape, so being able to bike for 8 hours every day would up my chances of becoming a better athlete. I chose an action to show the true resilience and possibilities of someone like me who wasn’t bred to be an athlete. It’s my own way of making art out of the mess. You have to start with yourself; be honest about your limitations and improve on those things.”
After further athletic studies at Simpson University in Redding, CA., Evie spent time building her outdoor skills in Trinity County before moving to Boulder Creek in July, 2024. She jumped on immediately as coach with the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District. Now freelancing, she’s considering opening her own studio. “I want to be a resource for the kids and the community, and women’s self defense. It’s something I can do for people.”
Among the most inspiring women in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Evie B works as an armed security guard and is a recognized K9 trainer. With an array of blades on her belt she described her style: “There was an olympic runner, the first runner to wear long nails and Jazzercise bottoms, Sha’Carri Richardson…and Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo-Jo), who performed incredible athletic feats looking like a goddess that just stepped out of a Marvel movie. Have your bag packed with stuff you might need, pick a character. Pull from your environment and find things that you like that make you happy and are useful to you, build your toolbelt. It’s the wild west, pirate days. My desire for wrestling and athletics comes from wanting to become a better protector.”
Follow Evie B on social: FB @eveberrington | IG: @musicaleve | Email: eve.meco@live.com
Julie Horner is Co-Founder and Editor for the San Lorenzo Valley Post. Julie lives and works in Boulder Creek and is an active participant in the county's vibrant music scene. She loves the outdoors and is the go-to expert on Santa Cruz Mountains hiking trails.
