Evans was influenced by
Thornhill’s unusual voicings
, particularly for brass and woodwinds. Evans settled permanently in New York in 1947 and his unusual arrangements for Thornhill began to attract the attention of some of the nascent beboppers of the time, including Miles Davis, John Lewis, and Gerry Mulligan.
Why was Bill Evans influential?
Bill Evans, who died 35 years ago this year at age 51, has remained a central influence on
how pianists play jazz
. His conception of the jazz trio became the model for balancing the good of the group with individual freedom in the modern rhythm section of piano, bass and drums.
Who influenced Bill Evans?
The way Evans built and connected chords and improvised melodies gave his playing a romantic quality that contrasted with much of 1950s bebop. Classical composers such as
Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel
, and Aleksandr Scriabin were influences, along with jazz pianists Bud Powell, Lennie Tristano, and Horace Silver
How did Bill Evans learn jazz?
Evans recalled first hearing jazz at the age of twelve or so: the big band recordings of Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, followed by
the great jazz instrumentalists
. His brother, who was already absorbing the idiom, was learning the trumpet and playing in the school rehearsal band.
What made Bill Evans unique?
Bill Evans: ‘
Piano Impressionism
‘ Evans’ introspective lyricism and subtle, Western classical flourishes have echoes in a legion of fellow keyboard players. As a leader and composer, he introduced an influential, highly interactive approach to trio and small-group performances.
What was Gil Evans known for?
Evans is best known for
music he wrote between 1957 and 1963
for his 19-piece orchestra, which backed trumpeter Miles Davis. The albums Sketches of Spain and Porgy and Bess were hailed for their rich harmonies and use of instruments not usually associated with jazz big bands.
What did Gil Evans do?
Ian Ernest Gilmore Evans (born Green; May 13, 1912 – March 20, 1988) was a Canadian-American
jazz pianist
, arranger, composer and bandleader. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest orchestrators in jazz, playing an important role in the development of cool jazz, modal jazz, free jazz, and jazz fusion.
What did Miles Davis say about Bill Evans?
So Davis chose Bill Evans because
(in his own words, as recounted in Peter Pettinger’s biography Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings): “He can play his ass off.
” Davis was more specific in his autobiography (Miles: the Autobiography, co-written by Quincy Troupe): “Bill brought a great knowledge of classical music, people …
How did Bill Evans learn piano?
William John Evans (1929–1980) of Plainfield, New Jersey began studying piano
with his older brother Harry around age 5
. … Bill moved to New York in 1955 where he studied composition and made connections on the music scene, the most significant of which came in 1958 when he was recruited by Miles Davis.
Was Bill Evans left handed?
I would argue that many (thought not all) of the greatest jazz pianists dedicate an impressive portion of their mind to voice leading their
left hands
even while improvising. The prime example of such a pianist is Bill Evans. … His left hand provides multiple important factors to the sound even just during the melody.
What happened to Bill Evans?
Evans was
the Senior Meteorologist for Eyewitness News This Morning and Eyewitness News at Noon
. He is now on WLNG Radio. … Evans has appeared on the show “How Stuff Works” on the Discovery Channel and Live with Kelly and Ryan.
Where should I start with Bill Evans?
- Bill Evans Trio – Explorations.
- The Bill Evans Trio – Portrait In Jazz.
- Bill Evans Trio – Everybody Digs Bill Evans.
- Bill Evans Trio* With Scott LaFaro, Paul Motian – Waltz For Debby.
- Bill Evans Quintet – Interplay.
What music did Bill Evans play?
| Bill Evans | Died September 15, 1980 (aged 51) New York City, New York | Genres Jazz, modal jazz, third stream, cool jazz, post-bop | Occupation(s) Musician Composer Arranger | Instruments Piano |
|---|
Did Bill Evans play with Miles Davis?
Evans would join Miles Davis’s band in April, 1958
, replacing pianist Red Garland. During this period Evans’s opportunities and focus on his own career would lead him to depart the group, then rejoin in early 1959 for the recording of Davis’s epic Kind of Blue. “Bill had this quiet fire that I loved on piano.
