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Bill Evans – pianist & composer (b. August 16, 1929 – d. September 15, 1980)

occupies a singular place in the history of modern jazz. His playing was immediately recognizable: harmonically sophisticated yet never merely intellectual, intensely lyrical without becoming sentimental, and capable of extraordinary rhythmic freedom while retaining an almost uncanny sense of proportion. He transformed the role of the jazz pianist, not through flamboyance or sheer technical display, but through an exceptionally personal conception of sound, touch, harmony and musical interaction. Evans's influence eventually extended far beyond the piano. His ideas about voicing, improvisation and ensemble interaction changed the possibilities of the jazz trio, while his approach to accompanying singers and instrumentalists demonstrated how a pianist could participate as an equal creative voice without dominating the music. Four decades after his death, his recordings remain central to the vocabulary of modern jazz. William John Evans was born on August 16, 1929, in Plainfield, New Jersey. Music was part of his life from childhood. He studied piano seriously and also learned violin and flute, receiving a strong grounding in classical music. This background remained important... Read