Bill Evans
Piano
September 15, 1980 (Age 51) died
August 16, 1929 Birthday
Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S. Birthplace
Social
About
Bill Evans was an influential jazz pianist and composer known for his lyrical playing and his innovative approach to the jazz trio. Evans worked with Tony Scott and George Russell but gained renown when he joined Miles Davis' Sextet in 1958. Although only with Miles Davis' group for 8 months Evans contributed significantly to "Kind of Blue" influencing mood, structure and composition. Following his work with Davis, Evans formed his widely celebrated trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. Evans continued to perform and record in the trio format throughout his life, but struggled with addiction and died in 1980 at age 51.
Trivia
Bill Evans attended college on a flute scholarship. His album, "Conversations with Myself" features the unconventional technique of overdubbing himself. Bill Evans received 31 Grammy nominations, 7 awards and a Lifetime Grammy Achievement Award.
Early Life
Bill Evans was born and raised in New Jersey. Both Bill and his older brother showed an early interest in music with Bill playing piano, flute and violin and his brother playing piano and trumpet. Evans attended Southeastern Louisiana University majoring in piano performance and music education. After graduation in 1950 he moved to New York but was quickly drafted into the army where he played flute in the army band. Following his service he returned to New York where he enrolled in a composition program at the Mannes College of Music and began playing in Greenwich Village Clubs.
Bill Evans Solos
1961
Piano solo - Stolen Moments - 1961
4/4 swing in C minor at 120 BPM
Piano solo - Cascades - 1961
4/4 swing in C minor at 252 BPM
Piano solo - Yearnin' - 1961
4/4 swing in C major at 108 BPM
Piano solo - Butch And Butch - 1961
4/4 swing in G major at 210 BPM
Piano solo - Teenie's Blues - 1961
4/4 swing in F major at 135 BPM
1959
Piano solo - Blue in Green - 1959
4/4 ballad in D minor at 57 BPM
Piano solo - Blue in Green - 1959
4/4 ballad in D minor at 116 BPM
Piano solo - All Blues - 1959
6/8 swing in G major at 142 BPM
Piano solo - Flamenco Sketches - 1959
4/4 ballad in C major at 59 BPM
1958
Piano solo - Green Dolphin Street - 1958
4/4 swing in E♭ major at 154 BPM
Piano solo - Fran Dance - 1958
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 112 BPM
Piano solo - Stella By Starlight - 1958
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 90 BPM
Piano solo - Love For Sale - 1958
4/4 swing in B♭ minor at 210 BPM
Piano solo - Straight, No Chaser - 1958
4/4 swing in F major at 304 BPM
Piano solo - My Funny Valentine - 1958
4/4 ballad in C minor at 48 BPM
Piano solo - Oleo - 1958
4/4 swing in B♭ major at 320 BPM