Jazz Style - Bill Evans - Jazz Pianist

William John Evans

August 16, 1929 - September 15, 1980

American jazz pianist and composer 

In 1955, Bill Evans worked with bandleader, George Russell.  

In 1958, Bill joined Miles Davis's sextet.  The band is most noted for recording Kind of Blue - the best selling jazz album of all time.

In 1959, Bill Evans for a trio that included bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian.  The trio recorded two albums - Portrait in Jazz & Explorations.  In 1961, the trio performed at New York's Village Vanguard jazz club.  This led to two other albums - Sunday at the Village Vanguard & Waltz for Debby.

In 1963, Bill Evans recorded the solo album, Conversations with Myself.  The album earned Evans a Grammy Award and impressive critical acclaim.

In the 1970s, Bill collaborated with Tony Bennett on the albums, The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975) & Together Again (1977).

Awards -

7 Grammy Awards & 31 Grammy Nominations

Honors -

DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame 

Posthumously honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

End of life -

Bill Evans faced devastation in his short life.  Scott LaFaro was killed in a car crash shortly after the Vanguard performances.  Evans did not work for several months.  Bill's brother, Harry, committed suicide.  Bill's girlfriend of 12 years, Ellaine Shultz, committed suicide.  Bill had a severe drug addiction that included heroin, methadone, and cocaine.  He further stopped treatment for chronic hepatitis.  When he passed at the age of 51, his friend Gene Lees described his addiction as "the longest suicide in history."

Bill Evans offered hope in his career and personal life.  He was an avid reader, artist, and golfer.  He enjoyed race horsing and dabbled in gambling with success.  He owned a racehorse named "Annie Hall."

(Wikipedia)

(Discography)

I choose to take away the history of Bill Evans's career as what to remember.  He had pain and vices.  Yet, he also had talent shared with a variety of jazz talents in their own right.  Consider his trio.  Consider his collaborations.  Consider his impact on contemporary and later musicians.  I choose this to honor Bill Evans.