Evans, Bill (1929-1980), was one of the most influential pianists in jazz history. He was acclaimed for his distinctive approach to harmony, his lyrical style, and his interaction with other musicians. Evans made many recordings, and his personal, poetic style has been preserved on dozens of compact discs issued by several record labels. Evans was also a noted composer. His “Waltz for Debby” (1956) has become a jazz standard.
William John Evans was born in Plainfield, New Jersey. He made an immediate impression on the jazz scene with his first recording under his own name in 1956. He played with clarinetist Tony Scott and bassist Charles Mingus before joining the Miles Davis sextet in 1958. Evans played piano on the landmark Davis album Kind of Blue (1959). His impressionistic and melodic composition “Blue in Green” is a highlight of the album.
Evans launched his career as a soloist after leaving Davis in 1959. He worked primarily as the leader of a trio and as a soloist for the rest of his career. He earned special praise for the intimate interaction among his piano and the bass and drums in his trios. Evans’s live and studio recordings with bassist Scott La Faro and drummer Paul Motian from 1959 to 1961 rank among the classics of modern jazz. Evans also made highly praised duet recordings with guitarist Jim Hall in 1962 and 1966.
