Portrait In Jazz

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Total Tracks: 11   Total Length: 51:59

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One of the best piano trio albums of all time!

otisbecket

This album is Bill Evans at his best. With "Come Rain or Come Shine" (which is my FAVORITE rendition of this song), 2 great versions of "Autumn Leaves" & "Blue in Green", 6 clasic versions of other standards and the introduction of "Peri's Scope" to the jazz world, Bill Evans , Paul Motian & Scott LaFaro created the perfect "desert island" recording that is a must for any serious Jazz pianist or collector! 5 plus stars!!!!!

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classic

MyCoversAreWrong

Worthy of a spot on any shortlist of greatest jazz albums, "Portrait in Jazz" demonstrates Bill Evans’s singular combination of technical skill and emotional depth. He explores these familiar songs, building innovative melodic and rhythmic variations over the chords, while allowing his sidemen (bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian) free reign to wander in and out of those spontaneous diversions -- and back to familiar territory. At its heart, this is a conventional jazz album that never loses sight of its style; here, Evans’s contribution to that style is a passion that is both elevating and heartbreaking.

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Historical trio sessions

rene.leemans

Evans was having trouble finding good bassist, but Scott LaFaro's arrival precipitated the advent of one of the finest piano trios jazz has ever documented. The bassist's melodic sensitivity and insinuating sound flowed between Evans and Paul Motian (drums) like water. Also recommended of this same trio are 'Explorations' and 'Sunday at the Village Vanguard'. Short after recording of the last session, Scott was killed in a car accident. So this records are In Memory of Scott LaFaro.

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They Say All Media Guide

The first of two studio albums by the Bill Evans-Scott LaFaro-Paul Motian trio (both of which preceded their famous engagement at the Village Vanguard), this Portrait in Jazz reissue contains some wondrous interplay, particularly between pianist Evans and bassist LaFaro, on the two versions of “Autumn Leaves.” Other than introducing Evans’ “Peri’s Scope,” the music is comprised of standards, but the influential interpretations were far from routine or predictable at the time. LaFaro and Motian were nearly equal partners with the pianist in the ensembles and their versions of such tunes as “Come Rain or Come Shine,” “When I Fall in Love,” and “Someday My Prince Will Come” (which preceded Miles Davis’ famous recording by a couple years) are full of subtle and surprising creativity. A gem. – Scott Yanow

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