Bill Evans

Bill Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was one of the most famous jazz pianists of the 20th century, and along with McCoy Tyner and Oscar Peterson was the force behind the biggest shift in the jazz paradigm since Art Tatum and Bud Powell. His use of impressionistic harmony, his inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire and his syncopated and polyrhythmic melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists, including Herbie Hancock, Denny Zeitlin, Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett, and his work continues to inspire younger pianists such as Fred Hersch, Bill Charlap, Lyle Mays and Brad Mehldau, as well as other musicians such as guitarist John McLaughlin.

1950s

Working in New York in the 1950s, Evans gained notoriety as a sideman in traditional and so-called third stream avant-garde jazz bands. During this period, he recorded with the composer George Russell and released New Jazz Conceptions, his first album as a leader. In 1958, Evans joined the Miles Davis Sextet and recorded and toured briefly with the band. His desire to pursue his own projects as a leader, problems with drug use, and conflicts with other band members, led him to leave the band. At the request of Davis, Evans returned to the band to record the jazz classic, Kind of Blue.

Related Topics:
New York - 1950s - George Russell - New Jazz Conceptions - Miles Davis - Kind of Blue

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~