Bill evans plays in a class by himself in the music history he was an incomparable pianist and introduce new music in the world and his right place is among the greatest in the music Bach Bethoven Chopin and the French impressionist Bill evans was a poet of music!
Yes, a lot of people thinks Evans doesn't swing enough, but then, there are individual styles to swinging, and his style is a most subtle kind which may not excite the hips but does definitely excite the brain.
Yes, this is" Porgy". However, the bridge is not in a relative minor, which in this key (Fmajor) would have been "d minor". Instead, it goes to "a minor "for 4 bars and to "c minor" for 2 bars to a dominant (C7) for 4 more bars back to original key. I hope I made the matter clearer.
Bill Evans definitely knew Rachnaminoff. Listen to his Blue in Green off Portraits in Jazz. There is a strong connection in his voicings when compared to the second piano concerto.
This is on a video called "piano legends" and is hosted by Chick Corea (whose voice you hear in the intro). I am always so moved by this piece, thanks for posting.
Would love to know where / why this was videod - I know Chick later used it for his documentary.... but I mean where originally recorded... just in case there are more tunes on the video. It doesn't seem to be a concert, more like private recording. It's a true masterpiece, I know the other Bill versions of Porgy (they great too) but this is my favourite.
Bill Evans was a giant of piano jazz and most, if not all, the big names that followed him in the style he perfected owe him a great debt. There are other styles, of course, but for the typical trio he is a pioneer.
Chick Corea, and Herbbie came close but of course they themselves were influenced by Bill, however they carried on the tradition and went on to influence many others and the whole time Bill will always be in the mix I love how that works
@SHOGUNX8 This is what a master looks like when he has shut out the world and is totally focused on creating- in Real Time. His eyes are closed; his fingers know exactly where to go, and he's in The Zone. This is genius at work... and those who can hear it couldn't care less how he appeared when he made those incredible sounds. I hope your eyes didn't keep your ears from hearing how wonderful this is... that would be a shame.
It's funny how alot of us love that recording, but he was not happy with it. Also, check out Bill and Tony Bennett..recorded in the 70's. I was at a Tony Bennett show about 10 years ago and had him sign the liner notes..Tony paused briefly, and then went on to say what fun those recordings were to make. There's 2 of them. Highly recommended.
I heard Tony did that record to help Bill out when he was getting in too deep with his cocaine addiction. Whatever the reason was, those sessions (esp the first one) are a godsend. To hear Bill with a singer as good as Bennett is fantastic and breathes new life into these numbers Bill had been playing for years. Gene Lees lyric for Waltz for Debby is both cheesy and uplifting at the same time. Like some odd theme tune for a movie from another era. Wonderful stuff. God bless you Bill X.
The melody of I loves you porgy is really only clear (for most of us listeners) around 1'40" and 2'52" and mostly it is more just improvisation inspired by the song and harmonies. Brilliant.
there is a book titled kind of blue which goes over every detail of the recording session. I told everybody for years that it was all first takes with no splicing but the book reveals all. great read.
@JHJennings Evans was a university trained pianist and earned his degree in piano performance and teaching. He had a full grasp of both Jazz and Classical repertoire.
One of the interesting things about BE is how much he sounds like Wynton Kelly-and yet so different.Thank god for art.Try to listen to him being interviewed in 66 about the genius of Scott Lafaro.Just a brilliant man-who chose the piano as his too to share it.
@kofthebaskervilles I think this came from a filmed documentary about Bill. Voiceovers are common to this genre. I don't think any disrespect was intended...
If this tune was video recorded solo, doesn't that mean there's probably a few others from whenever this was? I use Bill Evans' approach to solo piano as my starting point, so it would be cool.
He was a White in jazz, so people denigrated him. The morons who said that he couldn't swing were just jealous. Evans was the Chopin of Jazz Piano, and like Brahms said of Chopin, "He was a flower with a canon inside."
This is a work of genious done by a master. Talking over any part of it is in very bad taste. Look in your heart if you have one before you do something like this again.
@BaphometsWarrior Miles lied about "Blue in Green." Miles also said some very racist things about white musicians, so did Coltrane. You don't often hear this. By the way where can I get this video? Anyone know?
my left ear enjoyed this
Bill evans plays in a class by himself in the music history he was an incomparable pianist and introduce new music in the world and his right place is among the greatest in the music Bach Bethoven Chopin and the French impressionist Bill evans was a poet of music!
real
This is an excellent example of Bill's Genius and Style. Master artist......
3:07 ❤️ :)
Yes, a lot of people thinks Evans doesn't swing enough, but then, there are individual styles to swinging, and his style is a most subtle kind which may not excite the hips but does definitely excite the brain.
Ha ha, I like his "mistake at 1:19. You can see he found it funny too.
But he's an incredible artist.
Yes, this is" Porgy". However, the bridge is not in a relative minor, which in this key (Fmajor) would have been "d minor". Instead, it goes to "a minor "for 4 bars and to "c minor" for 2 bars to a dominant (C7) for 4 more bars back to original key. I hope I made the matter clearer.
it doesn't matter how you sit at a piano really.it's what comes out that matters. long live bill evans work.
This is probably the greatest jazz rendition of "Porgy," far greater than all subsequent ones by Bill or any other pianist. Absolutely perfect it is!
I agree - but what a pity there is no recording of it from the beginning!
The greatest piano rendition of the song!
Awesome music, thanks for sharing this clip.
Bill Evans definitely knew Rachnaminoff. Listen to his Blue in Green off Portraits in Jazz. There is a strong connection in his voicings when compared to the second piano concerto.
This is on a video called "piano legends" and is hosted by Chick Corea (whose voice you hear in the intro). I am always so moved by this piece, thanks for posting.
A genius, a god of music.
Would love to know where / why this was videod - I know Chick later used it for his documentary.... but I mean where originally recorded... just in case there are more tunes on the video. It doesn't seem to be a concert, more like private recording.
It's a true masterpiece, I know the other Bill versions of Porgy (they great too) but this is my favourite.
C'était pur
Just a brilliant piano player......chords amazing...love him
Bill Evans was a giant of piano jazz and most, if not all, the big names that followed him in the style he perfected owe him a great debt. There are other styles, of course, but for the typical trio he is a pioneer.
Favorite jazz pianist by far. But one has to wonder if Bill Evan's saw a chiropractor on a regular basis.
Chick Corea, and Herbbie came close but of course they themselves were influenced by Bill, however they carried on the tradition and went on to influence many others and the whole time Bill will always be in the mix I love how that works
@SHOGUNX8
This is what a master looks like when he has shut out the world and is totally focused on creating- in Real Time. His eyes are closed; his fingers know exactly where to go, and he's in The Zone.
This is genius at work... and those who can hear it couldn't care less how he appeared when he made those incredible sounds.
I hope your eyes didn't keep your ears from hearing how wonderful this is... that would be a shame.
Wonderful.
Those handfuls of descending chords at 1:49 are just so awesome and so unique to Bill Evans! God he swings so hard!
Bill is the MAN!!!!!!
It's funny how alot of us love that recording, but he was not happy with it. Also, check out Bill and Tony Bennett..recorded in the 70's. I was at a Tony Bennett show about 10 years ago and had him sign the liner notes..Tony paused briefly, and then went on to say what fun those recordings were to make. There's 2 of them. Highly recommended.
I heard Tony did that record to help Bill out when he was getting in too deep with his cocaine addiction. Whatever the reason was, those sessions (esp the first one) are a godsend. To hear Bill with a singer as good as Bennett is fantastic and breathes new life into these numbers Bill had been playing for years. Gene Lees lyric for Waltz for Debby is both cheesy and uplifting at the same time. Like some odd theme tune for a movie from another era. Wonderful stuff. God bless you Bill X.
The melody of I loves you porgy is really only clear (for most of us listeners) around 1'40" and 2'52" and mostly it is more just improvisation inspired by the song and harmonies. Brilliant.
there is a book titled kind of blue which goes over every detail of the recording session. I told everybody for years that it was all first takes with no splicing but the book reveals all. great read.
1:45 - 1:47 made this for me.
I have the video (VHS) is this is one of my favorite performances / recordings.
@pressurecookers1 Glenn Gould was actually a big fan of Bill Evans. He called Bill "the Scriabin of Jazz".
holy crap i almost know what that means! I'm finally starting to get it!
masterpiece, genius
@JHJennings Evans was a university trained pianist and earned his degree in piano performance and teaching. He had a full grasp of both Jazz and Classical repertoire.
awesome
His music is like none other, but my God look at him!! Unfortunately most most great jazz talents of that day, wasted away on heroin!
i totally agree
One of the interesting things about BE is how much he sounds like Wynton Kelly-and yet so different.Thank god for art.Try to listen to him being interviewed in 66 about the genius of Scott Lafaro.Just a brilliant man-who chose the piano as his too to share it.
@kofthebaskervilles that's Chick Corea on the voiceover, for what its worth
This little ''riff'' ( 2:53 ) remind me of ''The legend of 1900'' music,the song that the pianist composes while falling in love.
"I love you Porgy", recorded in NYC
Definitely the best version in the cosmos--is the video available?
Billou...
@Zillacello THANK You. You see it like (or as)a musician. Best comment on the page.
@kofthebaskervilles
I think this came from a filmed documentary about Bill. Voiceovers are common to this genre. I don't think any disrespect was intended...
haha good find!
can somebody post the whole video of Piano Legends (1986) Hosted by Chick Corea
From the Piano Legends: ua-cam.com/video/jJrQNp2M2dg/v-deo.html
If this tune was video recorded solo, doesn't that mean there's probably a few others from whenever this was? I use Bill Evans' approach to solo piano as my starting point, so it would be cool.
I have heard the truth of the matter and find no fault .
Also see Eric Watson The Peacocks.
1:48-1:52.. yezzir
Who said he can't swing?
He was a White in jazz, so people denigrated him. The morons who said that he couldn't swing were just jealous. Evans was the Chopin of Jazz Piano, and like Brahms said of Chopin, "He was a flower with a canon inside."
This is a work of genious done by a master. Talking over any part of it is in
very bad taste. Look in your heart if you have one before you do something
like this again.
I wonder why bill evans always sits buckled while playing the piano
Yea man I just read about that. That's horrible. I also read miles didn't pay him well either.
not maybe
T
Who?
@BaphometsWarrior Miles lied about "Blue in Green." Miles also said some very racist things about white musicians, so did Coltrane. You don't often hear this.
By the way where can I get this video? Anyone know?
Who cares just love the music and stop the SJW BS!!
The greatest piano rendition of the song!
T