Bill Evans

Bill Evans on vinyl: the pianist of quiet tones

In short: Bill Evans changed jazz piano: with delicate, rich chords and a trio in which piano, bass and drums talk to each other as equals. He played on Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” and in 1961 recorded the famous Village Vanguard concerts with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. The Vinyl Room currently has 16 Bill Evans records.

What makes Bill Evans special?

Evans started on Riverside – his debut “New Jazz Conceptions” was recorded in 1956 and released in 1957. With his trio he developed a music that breathes rather than pushes; the live recordings from the Village Vanguard are still among the most beautiful piano trio records. You’ll find the concert recordings on “The Village Vanguard Sessions”; “Spring Leaves” collects studio recordings by the same trio.

Later he recorded for Verve (“Trio 64”, “At Town Hall”), and in the seventies for Fantasy (“Quintessence”, “Alone (Again)”) and Warner Bros. (“New Conversations”). With Cannonball Adderley he made “Know What I Mean?”.

From our stock

First pressings

All Bill Evans records

→ Riverside · Fantasy · Miles Davis · How to spot a first pressing

FAQ

Did Bill Evans play on “Kind of Blue”? Yes, on four of the five pieces of Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” (1959); Wynton Kelly plays on “Freddie Freeloader”.

Which Bill Evans recordings are considered the most beautiful? The 1961 live recordings from the Village Vanguard with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian are often named.

Which Bill Evans records do you have? Among others “New Jazz Conceptions”, “Know What I Mean?”, “Trio 64”, “Quintessence” and “Eloquence” – 16 records in all.

Is this the saxophonist Bill Evans? No, this is about the pianist Bill Evans (1929–1980).