Bill Evans and His Genius

Well, a friend asked me about Bill Evans, and I am taking advantage of writing up an entry about Bill.

Bill Evans is a jazz pianist who was classically trained and known for his improvisational style and experimenting attitudes with new technologies such as electric piano. He is, in my opinion, relatively unknown / forgotten musician; none of my friends who are into / play jazz knew who he was, even though they ALL got THE album, "Kind of Blue" by Miles Davis.

Miles Davis, "Kind of Blue" 1959

Bill Evans was the only white musician in Miles' sextet at the time of recording of "Kind of Blue", and said to have influenced Miles deeply during the session, where Miles took to impro heavily, while Bill Evans's problem with drug addiction worsened.

Bill Evans's music styles varied through years but he was always dedicated to his work and was a workaholic, which resulted in many, many albums, including many studio recoded albums.

I only have about 10 albums (He recorded about 50 or 60) and cannot say I know Bill Evans all that well, but his debut album "New Jazz Conceptions" was superb, and his second "Everybody Digs Bill Evans" is also amazing, which contains my absolute favourite "Peace Piece".

Bill Evans, "New Jazz Conception" 1956

Bill Evans, "Everybody Digs Bill Evans" 1958

"Peace Piece", to me, defines "beautiful music", it sounds more classical than jazz, and refreshing and very, very touching. Certainly not upbeat, but you must listen to this at least once to appreciate Bill Evans. 

As for live recordings he did produce many good quality recordings, interesting and diverse one is "Bill Evans at the Montreux Jazz Festival", as this is of very lively session, while Bill not making overstatement with his piano.

Bill Evans,
"Bill Evans at the Montreux Jazz Festival"
1968

His later recordings are slightly confusing, being similar to Miles Davis style in late 60's. With more electric samples the pieces sounds less soothing but more psychedelic.

He died in 1980 as the result of years of drug abuse.
I still dig Bill Evans and his genius today.

This Month I am Mostly Listening...

Woke up this morning looking like this > > >

booo booo

well, like someone else. (The only reason for putting a full frontal pic here as I am unrecognisable in this.) My left cheek is completely swollen up after a surgery I had yesterday, and my lip and nose also looked, well, fatter. When I turned up at work people kept saying that I looked as though I was holding a candy in my mouth. I kept saying I was pretending to be a Marlon Brando for the day.

Came home feeling pretty sorry for myself (or just in a mood to spoil myself) I got about buying this month's CDs.



I am currently re-discovering Jazz musicians of old and new, mostly modern jazz of old age, and have recently decided to buy at least 2 jazz CDs a month. Today I doubled the dosage just because I woke up with a huge cheek (and that nurse at the clinic -not the dentist- told me that I was not looking after myself well -I did that all for love and I was not in the mood to defend my ex.)

today's Figarion
(this time he is in the middle)

This month I am mostly listening to.... Antonio Farao!!
Finally, after about 1 yr of looking for his CD that's affordable!!
He is sear genius, and I am determined to go see him next year.