Those 7 Times Bill Evans Went Next Level Genius | bernie's bootlegs
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Here are 7 solo moments of the one and only William John "Billy Boy" Evans just being the unbelievable genius that he was. Which was your favorite? Which solos did I leave out? Who should be next? Leave a comment!
NOTE: Strictly my opinion
** Sorry for the skip at the end of #5, not sure how that happened but it was in the original video as well **
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0:00 Israel / Five (theme) - 19 Mar 65 (5 of 11)
1:28 Emily (Helsinki 1969)
3:35 If You Could See Me Now
5:45 My Romance (tune3)
7:48 Stella by Starlight
9:21 Someday my Prince Will Come (Jazz Piano)
11:20 Nardis - 19 Mar 65 (7 of 11)
Sources:
[1] • Video
[2] • Bill Evans Trio - Emil...
[3] • Bill Evans Trio - If Y...
[4] • Bill Evans Trio - My R...
[5] • Stella by Starlight - ...
[6] • Bill Evans Live - Some...
[7] • Video
Bill Evans was born in Plainfield, New Jersey on August 16, 1929 and began his music studies at age 6. Classically trained on piano; he also studied flute and violin as a child. He graduated with a degree in piano performance and teaching from Southeastern Louisiana College (now University) in 1950, and studied composition at Mannes College of Music in New York. After a stint in the Army, he worked in local dance bands, and with clarenetist Tony Scott, Chicago-area singer Lucy Reed and guitarist Mundell Lowe, who brought the young pianist to the attention of producer Orrin Keepnews at Riverside Records.
Evans' first album was New Jazz Conceptions in 1956, which featured the first recording of his most loved composition, "Waltz for Debby". It's follow-up, Everybody Digs Bill Evans was not recorded for another two years; the always shy and self- deprecating pianist claiming he "had nothing new to say." He gradually got noticed in the NYC jazz scene, for his original piano sound and fluid ideas, when in 1958, Miles Davis asked him to join his group (which also featured John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley) He stayed for nearly a year, touring and recording, and subsequently playing on the all-time classic Kind of Blue album -- as well as composing "Blue in Green", now a jazz standard. His work with Miles helped solidify Bill's reputation, and in 1959, Evans founded his most innovative trio with the now-legendary bassist Scott LaFaro and with Paul Motian on drums. The trio concept of equal interplay among the musicians was virtually pioneered by Evans, and these albums remain the most popular in his extensive catalog. They did two studio albums together in addition to the famous 'live" sessions at NYC's Village Vanguard in 1961. LaFaro's tragic death in a car accident a few weeks after the Vanguard engagement -- an event which personally devastated Bill -- sent the pianist into seclusion for a time, after which he returned to the trio format later in 1962, with Motian again, and Chuck Israels on bass.
His 1963 Conversations With Myself album , in which he double and triple-tracked his piano, won him the first of many Grammy® awards and the following year he first toured overseas, playing to packed houses from Paris to Tokyo, now solidifying a worldwide reputation. The great bassist Eddie Gomez began a fruitful eleven year tenure with Bill in 1966, in various trios with drummers Marty Morell, Philly Joe Jones, Jack DeJohnette and others - contributing to some of the most acclaimed club appearances and albums in Evans's career. His recorded output was considerable -- (for Riverside, Verve, Columbia, Fantasy and Warner Bros) over the years, and he also did sessions (especially early on) with some of the top names in jazz. Musicians like Charles Mingus, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, Oliver Nelson, Jim Hall, George Russell, Shelley Manne, Toots Theielmans, Kai Winding /J.J. Johnson, Hal McKusick and others all featured Evans. In the seventies, he recorded extensively- primarily trio and solo piano now and then, but also including several quintet albums under his own name as well two memorable dates with singer Tony Bennett. - เพลง
Remember sitting close to the piano at Village Vanguard in 1969.
Bill never said a word all night, just played brilliantly. No words required, just great music.
Awesome. Thank you so much for watching
As a 90’s baby I could only describe that as you seeing a unicorn, a myth, a legend
@@philipbenhardb.velasco369
What a lovely comment, thankyou.
It was very special. I was 19 at the time and the same week saw Monk play in a small club,' Blue Coronet ' the Baroness Panika was also there, and during that gig Monk fell asleep at the piano during the bass solo, and had to be nudged back to life. . Without missing a beat Monk was back in the groove with a brief guilty look on his face.
My unicorn moment would have been seeing Coltrane, but can't have everything.
Their music is eternal.
Best wishes to you.
Wow I also use to see him at the bottom of the Village gate, back then it changed my life as a musician. The few times I was able to briefly talk to him he was so soft spoken and intelligent. RIP Bill.
@@davekenney1874
Thankyou for passing on your memory of meeting Bill, awesome. The giants were often modest souls which makes them even more of an inspiration. Best wishes.
It's an amazing thing when a pianist goes off on a break and does just the right amount of improv and not too much. And then back to the main theme.
Really wish I could have seen this guy live. I’ve never heard anyone play piano like this. He’s playing with his soul --- not his fingers.
My absolute favorite pianist ever. It all started twenty years ago when I first listened to Kind of Blue, my first jazz album. The crystalline beauty of his solo on 'Flamenco Sketches' left me in awe, overwhelmed by the tremendous sensitivity in his playing. With his own stuff, lot of people gravitate towards Waltz for Debby, and I love that album too, but my favorite is actually Moon Beams. I treasure every tune.
Great to know
@stevoglez You Must Believe In Spring is beyond essential as well. A beautiful farewell from a most sensitive artist.
Such a brilliant innovator. Evans invented a totally unique approach to the keyboard. One of the 20th centuries piano geniuses.
Whenever I listen to Bill Evans, which is always, I'm never bored yet completely chilled out at the same time.
Its sure is nice that old audio is so much better than old video, rather than the opposite way.
THELONIOUS AND BILL: My all time favourite jazz pianists. Love them ❤❤❤
The only way I can describe putting on Jazz music to listen to is that it's like lighting a fire in your living room while it's cold & wet & stormy outside while it gets busy warming the house ❤️
I adore Bill's playing. He's one of the few pianist who doesn't sound like unedited diarrhea when improvising. And then, there's his extraordinary impressionistic harmonic ability.
If I would have learned english as I did now and then watched this video 15 years ago I would have saved litteraly years of wrong conceptions and procastination on trying to play jazz. I guess I should not regret it but be thankful that it finally happened today. This video has so much valuable information. Thanks to YT, Bernie's Bootlegs, and to Bill Evans wherever he is now.
The man with 8 arms who never ever made a mistake while playing live
Or privately
Profound THANKS For putting this together Bernie! Especially enjoyed numbers two, five and six but All were brilliant!!
"If you don't sit up straight you'll never amount to anything!", Bill Evans' adolescent piano teacher.
I accidentally clicked on this... but honestly this is 🔥
Genius! Gos bless you for ever!!! The best!!!!
ive always had a theory that bill evans is where charles shultz got the idea for (schroeder?) from the peanuts..the way he plays with his head down.
His playing makes me feel like I’m drugs... 😎
Bill Evans, o grande, GRANDE, GGRRAANNDDEE gênio do Jazz. Nunca os acordes, sempre dissonantes, soaram tão bem combinados com as melodias, sempre bem ornamentadas.
My favorite Bill Evans: “Some Other Time”
Carol Lucey Mine too Carol.
Thanks for share Bill Evans music....
I love listening to this mans brain
Thank you. Timeless.
nice job bernie's bootlegs for putting this together!!
That rendition of Emily is easily the prettiest jazz piece I've come across
A living genius you can still go see on rare occasions is. Billy Lester.
Bill Evans was my dad, he was a great man, man....
One of my best Jazz-Records is "Waltz for Debby" from the Bill Evans Trio. The Perfect Sound to smoke a cigarrette on rainy day.
From one Bernie to another - thank you for this - is is a revelation
I’ve just watched a documentary of how Willie “the lion” Smith was often broke, because he was of an era where sheet music sales were key, and his style was too difficult for most to play. I also love Bill Evans for his open voicing and I think he is a great improviser. I wonder what Willie would have made of this style.
His live albums with his final trio are pretty much unrelenting fire. He turns Nardis upside down, inside out and every which way but loose - There were times in the middle of his career when he seemed to phone it in a bit, but he ended his run with a bang.
His left hand on "Someday My Prince Will Come" had me giggling a little bit.
this starts with my favorite bill evans video
Amazing man...
Beautiful
Bill, you are the greatest. I love you. We miss you.
Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson ! Never again! No words to explain how great they were!
The thing the vibe is a big reservoir of whatever you reach and get,there is no one better guys,they are who they are... I heard a guy say to Errol garner " hey you did not play that right, he said man this is how I feel now. This music was a powerful connection for all cultures and lifestyles. The United States was/is the most bias, lots of members of my family went to Europe in the 50's and stayed. We I visited germany a guy showed me a collection of live recording by various artist.
No one's playing captivates me like Bill's, not Tatum, not Peterson, not Chick. Bill is where it's at
THANK YOU
Saw him at shelly's manne hole in hollywood in 1964 with the first group: chuck israels and larry bunker. He was not looking well but the music was beautifui. I'll never forget it!
Incredible accompaniment at #3
it’s one of the most beautiful version at live of If you could see me now is poetry… the phrases,thy sound …His soul through his hands 🙌🏻
Bill Evans is a great pianist. He did some killer work on Miles Davis Kind of Blue.
my favorite musician of all time, hands down. and the drummer on EDBE (philly joe jones) is why i quit playing guitar and became a drummer.
Look at the facial expression of drummer at 1:50 😎 the bassist was having fun !!!
Although I don't care for this style of jazz, I can see the skill and talent in these performances. Maybe I will 'grow' to be able to enjoy it more.
Sublime
A friend of mine told me Bill Evans was a great accountant in his day gig. He could balance anything. He schlepped around at night tickling the ebonies and ivories as an outlet for his stressful day job.
Would have added the “concerto for billy the kid” break to this list- it’s pretty crazy
Well its been 2 years but I just found this. Amazing list but my favorite Bill Evans solo has to be Cascades from The Blues and the Abstract Truth.
Nardis is my favorite but We Will Meet Again is a close second, especially the solo version
#7
Bill Evan’s played piano absolutely Bestofall
Bill Evan’s played great jazz piano with wonderful phrasing
No piano, no jazz. Know piano, know jazz
I’m relatively new to Bill Evans (3 months) and he’s rocketed to my number one jazz guy. And I like that apart from his out and out musical genius he was such a nice guy.
❤️
4:30 simple playing, divine results.
#6 is like a totally different guy
Please "like" this comment to promote it upwards so everyone benefits. All I did here was paste titles from the links kindly shown in the video description above..
0:00 Israel / Five (theme) - 19 Mar 65 (5 of 11)
1:28 Emily (Helsinki 1969)
3:35 If You Could See Me Now
5:45 My Romance (tune3)
7:48 Stella by Starlight
9:21 Someday my Prince Will Come (Jazz Piano)
11:20 Nardis - 19 Mar 65 (7 of 11)
Bill Woo i
Thanks
Beautiful
I can't watch this. Because it's my bedtime and if I do all be up all night high on Bill Evans. My life is better for knowing his music.
The Cardinal_ lol. I understand
I feel you. When I start watching Bill Evans videos I spend hours just watching more and more
Me too, so intense you have to stand up.
I once heard a piano teacher refer to Bill Evans as the "Chopin of Jazz.'
Alfred Bellanti You can actually hear a lot of Chopin in Bill's music
Yeah I was the first one to say that actually back in 83'
Chopin was almost the equal of Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Bill Evans :-)
Robert Dore lol noone knows how chopin improvised, but it was far more “jazzy” than his counterpart in his days. Chopins compositions definitely hold up to and surpass Evans for some of his pieces. The ballades and nocturnes hold some of the finest pieces of piano literature no doubt Evans took inspiration from
Glenn Gould called him the "Scriabin of Jazz".
Bill's chord voices are some of the most genius and beautiful for and expressive way of voices
Is English your first language?
I am in love with Bill Evans - every tune he plays is the work of a genius. He can make me cry and smile at the same time. By far my favorite tune is "Never Let Me Go" from "ALONE", which is over 14 minutes as he just kept playing beyond the usual length of the tune. His solo work is the best. He cannot be compared to other jazz pianists or other musicians as he is on a totally separate level and alone on that level. Read liner notes of what he says about music. A philosopher and artist, but he evokes a sadness in a listener that is painful and at the same time beautiful and mesmerIzing. I am listening to the last album "I Will Say Goodbye." knowing he was saying goodbye for he died soon after. Listening to Bill Evans play is like having another life and really cannot be explained except to others who understand Evans and his music.
His solo on "On Green Dolphin Street" With Miles is with out a doubt one of the most beautiful use of suspended chords ever , it still makes the hair on my arms stand up, and he just got better and better, in the end the drugs may have killed him, but they sure as hell didnt seem to slow him down
Green Dolphin.....YES!
Very well put
That piano intro on ‘On GDS’ is just.... sublime. My dad had the Jazz Track album on vinyl, and he’d play that on Saturday mornings when he’d do some house cleaning. I remember hearing that when I was a kid, and even then being transported. There’s no one like Bill.
When my Dad decided to move after Mom passed, he let us kids go through the house and take what we wanted - the only thing I wanted was his vinyl of Jazz Track. Those songs from the ‘58 sessions are where my love of jazz began.
I have to say the way he played "Invitation" was what got me hooked on him
Normally people like that use drugs because everything in their life is far out not just the music. Some really enjoy that rode and ride it til the end
No levels, just bill being bill
All of the examples demonstrate his beautiful understanding of melody and his genius. To chose any of his solos denigrates all the others. He has been my guiding light. Genius.
"Emily" is one of my faves of all time. His version is so fine.
His version of My Romance was a milestone in solo piano conception.
Bill Evans was always on the next level, he didn't need to go 😂
Very good choice. For me, there is nothing like Bill Evans in this world!!
Thanks for posting!
I'd heard of Bill Evans for some time but it wasn't until my double bass teacher started pushing Bill Evans cds on me that I really began to appreciate his genius. Bill and Scott LaFaro together was where it was at!
this man is the technicians piano man. He just punctuates how different "the best" can be and can vary from musician to musician. So starkly different from his peers and of course, so incredibly learned and skilled.
One of my favourite musicians ever
These seven examples are some of the finest moments defining his perfection. It's hard for me to choose a favorite- the latter part of number 4 is beautifully executed, as he does not miss a note or a beat with such complexity and speed. All the way through numbers 5, 6, and 7, I could just repeat over and over in a continuous loop and have them playing in my home all day.
He is so dearly missed, as there was no one else like him. I'll only be 64 this year, I've been trying to teach myself to play a little like this. I wish I could have met him when he was alive and talk to him Some of the special videos in TH-cam that he speaks with an interviewer in tbe early 1960's and plays to show examples as describing his style, are so entertaining to listen to him.
[I read recently that he was left handed, as were Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Sergei Rachmaninov, Keith Jarret, Glen Gould, ...]
when someone else's demons is your delight.
How so?
Jazz is perceived to be the music of tortured geniuses...
Profound statement!
Evans was notorious for having a particularly nasty heroin addiction. He once nicked a nerve while tying off before a gig, which left him without the use of his left arm. As the story is told, he played the gig one-handed.
Andrew Budiman mantap mas Andrew
Bill Evans went 'next level' on almost every performance!
One of my favorite jazz pianist! Musical genius!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for not putting ads in your vids. Also, amazing work!
There are moments in these interpretations and improvisations that are so sublime as to transport the listener to another world. Thanks, Bernie, for posting this! Wonderful!
You're welcome!
Bill Evans is the true creator of modal Jazz. So far ahead of his time. Thanks for this video.
Those crystalline clusters.
Appropriate and apt alliterative allusion.
This is music that has its own soul, I can feel it, see it and even taste it. So much Flavour, not like this new generation of 'one-day famous music'. I can't help but respect the musicians that were here when I was only but a THOUGHT, I always learn from them, no matter how many times I play the same song over and over, it always opens up a bit more to me. NEXT LEVEL GENIUS INDEED!
blue in green---played by bill evans---my favourite of all his
May Rose me, too. I listen to it often from Kind of Blue repeating it in traffic.
mac2phin--how nice to know that you listen to it while in traffic! a calming effect I would think------it's an amazing piece of music,so simple in structure yet so profound when played by bill evans
May Rose Same!
Agree. The most difficult piece for me to play in guitar. I discovered Evans in a MOOC from University of Texas in Austin, driven by Jeffrey Hellmer, who spoke about him with the title "Cristal notes".
mac2phin Same here...I had "Blue in Green" in a continuous loop during my commute (2 hours/return) for at least two weeks, this summer. Hadn't listened to "Kind of Blue" in maybe thirty years (Did the same thing with "So What"). Completely lost touch with jazz, past my twenties and only rediscovered it after picking up the guitar, earlier this year. Am into my "Art Blakey and his jazz messengers" phase now...
This is a trio. They all went next level together.
The best pianist ever.
Really? I can think of several who were / are just good or better.
Four years ago I bought my first Chet Baker CD and that was it! Jazz! I love Coltrane, Baker and Pastorius, but Bill Evans is my favorite. I've been buying reissues of his albums and I do feel a sense of empathy for him. Not a good life, but at least he did something spectacular with the time he had.
You left out all the rest of his solos from 1956 through 1980. ;-)
Thanks for posting. Mostly just for the chance to hear the music, plus it's always great to find so many people in one place (online or otherwise) that appreciate Evans' music as much as I do. It goes without saying that this 'list' is not trying to be definitive (impossible of course) but simply an opportunity to express one's love for this music. The thing is, it's difficult not to agree with everyone. That being said... my offering is 'Never Let Me Go' from Evans' Alone LP (an entire side)... or actually any other track from that record: 'Midnight Mood', 'Here's That Rainy Day', 'On A Clear Day', they are all exceptional; a truly special record for me.
I totally agree with you about "Never Let Me Go" as I have posted. For me those 14 plus minutes are the greatest recorded music ever. I have to set aside time to listen for once is not enough. I get lost in his music and just cannot really explain, but I know others who listen know the feeling and emotion of Bill Evans and his playing.
You're welcome!
The depth and breadth of his playing is a constant reminder of why great art is the fruits of hard work as well as genius .I love how we all have our favourite 'Bill moment ' mine is hi first solo on the affinity album with toots...just so much clarity and a beautiful recorded sound , not his most technical moment but just stunning phrasing .
Thanks for compiling these clips xx
You're welcome!
Every choice of Notes,voicings,rhytm are perfect.
There may not be video of it, but the solo in Gloria's Step off the Sunday at the Village Vanguard gives me chills every time.
At 7:46 was a mic dropping moment, and flipping us off at the same time :D Bill is just King!!
"7 times out of 99999999 Bill Evans Went Next Level Genius" should be the right title
Bill Evans was on the level of genius as all times.
i was waiting for this one! thank you !
He broke my heart when he used to cry on my shoulder...that he had to pawn his piano again for his drugs...So talented.!.....Everytime I listen to his music I get so sad...So many jazz players who followed him were so influenced by his genius...I miss him!
Phyllis tagg-bovino You knew him?
Dear Phyllis: I am Toby Sacher's son- he was best friends with Bill's lover Francine Tomlin- call me please?
yes...
I don't have your phone #
603-585-3057
Shivers every single solo.
Thanks for sharing your take on "next level" Bill Evans. I've seen most of this footage countless times as basically there is so little, but you've done a nice job. Bill's ability to elevate his and his trio's performance was a consistant component as a live performing artist. Live, he pursued a incursive and exploratory rhythmic desplace ment which at its best proved very emotional, intense and breathtaking.
It was nice that you included one of his famous solo intros. to the later versions of ''My Romance'.
Jesus he was just the apex predator of high culture in the 60s/70s. I had Peacock at Cornish the year before he landed the Jarrett gig and so I asked him to listen to some of my stuff and his critique is encapsulated here. He said what Evans taught him was "that what you play needs to be holographic. So any part of a hologram contains the entire image". Thematic motivic focus from the source should drive/inform what you play.
Joe Lovano taught us the same paradigm. 'Organic' could perhaps be used interchangeably without any less impact (or overuse).
paxwallacejazz that DEEP.
My goodness, his talent, and his continual work at his craft, every part of him bled music
Was just about to comment the same thing :D
loved it