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.

1970s

In 1969, Marty Morell joined the trio on drums and remained until 1975, when he retired to family life. The extraordinary sensitivity of this trio is best represented by the live recordings, Jazzhouse, You're Gonna Hear From Me, Montreux II, Live in Paris, 1972, The Tokyo Concert, Since We Met, and the final Blue in Green recorded in Canada in 1974.

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Morell was replaced by Elliot Zigmund on drums in 1976. The resulting group recorded three albums, Crosscurrents, I Will Say Goodbye and You Must Believe in Spring. The latter record highlighted Evans's obsession with self-destruction, including pieces dedicated to his first wife, Ellaine, and brother, Harry, both of whom by that time had committed suicide. Fittingly, the last track on the album is the theme from the movie and television show MASH, "Suicide is Painless". You Must Believe in Spring was released posthumously after Evans's death.

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Gomez and Zigmund left Evans in 1978, and after several rhythym sections, Evans settled on Marc Johnson on bass and Joe LaBarbera on drums. This band was to be Evans's last. The group recorded several records, including the multi-disc set Turn Out The Stars. Evans's music of this period was much less introspective and more driving than his previous work with Gomez and Zigmund, in part reflecting his turning to the drug cocaine to overcome his addiction to heroin.

Related Topics:
Marc Johnson - Joe LaBarbera

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