Bill Evans, Explorations
Tremendous chops and idea-rich melody lines
Bill Evans was, from the mid '60s to his 1980 death, among the greatest and most influential of jazz pianists, marking the styles of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, and many others. He had excellent technique, originality, a full, pretty timbre and imagination. Evans was one of the founders of modal jazz — he was a key player on Miles Davis 'modal landmark Kind of Blue — and brought classical impressionism into play in his solos. He cited Lennie Tristano, from whom he picked up a lot rhythmically, Bud Powell and Horace Silver among his influences. To them should probably be added Red Garland — their voicings were very similar, though not exactly the same, and Garland's reemphasis on chordal playing during solos seems to have marked Evans.
This recording, dating from 1961, is among Evans 'best, made with his great trio including bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. LaFaro was a major influence on bass players though he died at 25. Listen here to his tremendous chops and idea-rich lines. Motian was and is one of the most tasteful and musical of jazz drummers. The varied program here brings out the best in everyone. There are ballads ("Haunted Heart," "Beautiful Love," "How Deep Is the Ocean," "The Boy Next Door"), John Carisi's unusual blues "Israel" and Miles Davis's modal "Nardis." Everyone's at the top of his game and their interplay is superb. The performances are certainly strong and aggressive enough, but lyricism is their most notable characteristic.
