Steve says:
Adrian York’s passion for the music of Bill Evans was very much in evidence as he presented an overview of the tortured soul and creative genius, from his early work as leader in 1956 with the album New Jazz Conceptions up until his premature death in 1980.
Each number was interspersed with biographical details of Bill’s life and work, as well as the changing line-up of the trio from its early days. Several members of our audience appreciated having the development of Bill’s work put into context, along with the odd amusing anecdote.
The repertoire varied from the aching beauty and delicacy of Waltz for Debby, My Foolish Heart and Peace Piece (the latter drawing appreciative gasps from the audience) to the swinging, uptempo rendition of Autumn Leaves and Stella by Starlight reminding us of the influence of Bud Powell on Evans’ style which Adrian York delivered to perfection. The sting in the tail of some of the more lyrical pieces wasn’t glossed over either, particularly on Turn Out The Stars.
It is too easy to focus exclusively on the pianist during a gig that pays homage to the lead musician, but we were fortunate to have the animated Mark Fletcher who delighted with his delicate brushwork on My Foolish Heart as well as his flurries of astounding freedom on the drumkit. Equally, our bassist, Paul Whitten, rose above the role of timekeeper with solos that were much freer and creative and complemented the lyricism of York on piano, with Fletch taking a sensitive and unobtrusive role as he did so.
Dave says:
I do love piano trios, and this one was a delight. There were some young people in our audience, and “Peace Piece” had an emotional effect on them. Even though I knew it, me too.
You can listen to this music lightly, and enjoy the superb playing, and the great tunes. This show, for me, needed a deeper listen. I found out part of the reason for this. I took a sneak peek at some of the music (all but the encore had written heads). The sheets were dense with annotations, the result of serious research and knowledge. We didn’t hear the research, we heard the music. The encore was played with empty music stands, and was just free and fun.
What a lovely gig. And by the way what a wonderful, intense and often quiet drummer. Well, we will see Mark Fletcher in a very different guise in two weeks time, when he brings back “Fletch’s Brew” to us. The title is a pun on “Bitches Brew”, and the gig will be wild. Join us if you dare.
CONVERSATIONS WITH BILL: THE MUSIC OF BILL EVANS
SETLIST, FLEECE JAZZ 12/6/24
- What Is This Thing Called Love? (Cole Porter) from the album Portrait in Jazz
- So What intro (Gil Evans)/Blue in Green (Bill Evans) from the Miles Davis album A Kind of Blue
- Someday My Prince Will Come (Morey/Churchill) from the album Portrait in Jazz
- I Love You (Cole Porter) from the album New Jazz Conceptions
- My Funny Valentine (Rodgers/Hart) from the album Behind the Dikes: The 1969 Netherlands Recordings
- Alice in Wonderland (Fain-Hilliard) from the album Sunday at the Village Vanguard
- Night and Day (Cole Porter) from the album Everybody Digs Bill Evans
* * * * * * *
- Peri’s Scope (Bill Evans) from the album Portrait in Jazz
- Turn Out The Stars (Bill Evans)a mash-up of versionsfrom the albums Live at the Town Hall and Behind the Dikes: The 1969 Netherlands Recordings
- Autumn Leaves (Mercer/Kosmo/Prevert) from the album Portrait in Jazz
- Waltz for Debby (Bill Evans) from the album Sunday at the Village Vanguard
- My Romance (Rodgers-Hart) from the album Waltz for Debby
- My Foolish Heart (Washington-Young) from the album Waltz for Debby and The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans album
- Peace Piece (Bill Evans) from the album Everybody Digs Bill Evans
- Stella by Starlight (Washington-Young) from the album Bill Evans Trio at Shelley’s Manne-Hole
- Encore: Beautiful Love (Gillespie/Young/ Van Alstyne/King) from the album Explorations