Piano Player | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Compilation album by | ||||
Released | 1998 | |||
Recorded | June 10, 1956, September 9, 1958, February 6 & 8, 1962, November 23 & 24, 1970 & May 17, 1971 | |||
Genre | Jazz | |||
Length | 72:10 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Producer | Orrin Keepnews | |||
Bill Evans chronology | ||||
|
Piano Player is a compilation of recordings featuring jazz pianist Bill Evans released in 1998 on the Columbia label.
The album contains a previously unreleased alternate take of the third movement of George Russell's piece "All About Rosie" and a version of "My Funny Valentine" with Miles Davis from Jazz at the Plaza Vol. I , both of which feature extended solos by Evans.
It also includes two selections from the album Pike's Peak with vibraphonist Dave Pike, six previously unreleased duets with bassist Eddie Gómez, and a previously unreleased trio recording of Evans's composition "Fun Ride," recorded during the sessions for The Bill Evans Album .
The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars, stating "The pianist's fans will definitely want this consistently enjoyable CD." [1] The All About Jazz review by Douglas Payne states, "As a whole, Piano Player jumps from time periods and groupings more erratically than a typical Bill Evans listener would expect or appreciate. But eight of these songs offer required—and rewarding—listening for fans of the pianist. The remaining three selections are not readily available elsewhere either. Therefore, for now, Piano Player makes for essential Bill Evans listening." [2]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | [1] |
William John Evans was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, block chords, innovative chord voicings, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today.
New Jazz Conceptions is the debut album by jazz pianist Bill Evans, recorded in two sessions during September 1956 for Riverside Records.
Undercurrent is a 1962 jazz album by pianist Bill Evans and guitarist Jim Hall. The two artists collaborated again in 1966 on the album Intermodulation.
You Must Believe in Spring is an album by American jazz pianist Bill Evans, recorded by him with bassist Eddie Gómez and drummer Eliot Zigmund in August 1977 and released in February 1981, shortly after Evans's death in September 1980.
1958 Miles is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1974 on CBS/Sony. Recording sessions for tracks that appear on the album took place on May 26, 1958, at Columbia's 30th Street Studio and September 9, 1958, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. 1958 Miles consists of three songs featured on side two of the LP album Jazz Track, which was released in November 1959, one song from the same session not appearing in the album, and three recordings from Davis' live performance at the Plaza Hotel with his ensemble sextet. The recording date at 30th Street Studio served as the first documented session to feature pianist Bill Evans performing in Davis' group.
On Green Dolphin Street is an album by jazz pianist Bill Evans, recorded with bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones in early 1959, shortly before the Kind of Blue sessions in which both Evans and Chambers participated, but not released until 1975 as part of the double LP Peace Piece and Other Pieces. In 1995, it was issued on CD by Milestone Records under the current title, which comes from the jazz standard "On Green Dolphin Street" by Bronislaw Kaper, which Evans had first recorded the previous year with Miles Davis.
Jazz at the Plaza Vol. I is a live album by The Miles Davis Sextet. It was recorded in 1958 and released in 1973 by Columbia Records. Duke Ellington was recorded at the same event and released as the second volume (Jazz at the Plaza Vol. II).
Affinity is an album by American jazz pianist Bill Evans released in 1979, featuring Belgian harmonica player Toots Thielemans. Bill Evans plays a Rhodes piano on many of the tracks. It is the recording debut for bassist Marc Johnson.
What's New is an album by jazz pianist Bill Evans with flautist Jeremy Steig which was released in 1969 on the Verve label.
Crosscurrents is an album by American jazz pianist Bill Evans, recorded in early 1977 and released in 1978 on Fantasy as F 9568. Along with Evans' trio of Eddie Gómez and Eliot Zigmund, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh guest on alto and tenor saxophone respectively.
The Jazz Workshop is the debut album by jazz composer George Russell, featuring his "Smalltet", which included Art Farmer, Hal McKusick, Barry Galbraith, and Bill Evans.
Cannonball Adderley Quintet in Chicago is an album by jazz saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, his final release on the Mercury label, featuring performances by Adderley with John Coltrane, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb.
Living Time is an album by the Bill Evans George Russell Orchestra recorded in 1972 and released on the Columbia label, featuring performances by Evans with an orchestra conducted by Russell.
New Bottle Old Wine is an album by jazz composer, arranger, conductor and pianist Gil Evans recorded in 1958 by Evans with an orchestra. The album is a suite of songs written by and/or associated with major jazz musicians and composers, in original arrangements by Gil Evans. Cannonball Adderley is featured as the main soloist. The orchestra also featured a number of important players including Bill Barber, Frank Rehak, Johnny Coles, Art Blakey, and Paul Chambers.
You're Gonna Hear From Me is a live album by jazz pianist Bill Evans with Eddie Gómez and Marty Morell recorded at the Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen in 1969 but not released until 1988 on the Milestone label. The same concert also produced the album Jazzhouse.
Blue in Green: The Concert in Canada is a live album by jazz pianist Bill Evans with Eddie Gómez and Marty Morell recorded in Camp Fortune, Gatineau, Quebec, Canada in 1974 and released on the Milestone label in 1991.
Jazz at the Plaza Vol. II is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1958 at a party for Columbia Records and released on the label in 1973. The Miles Davis Sextet was also recorded at the same event and released as the first volume of Jazz at the Plaza.
Directions is a compilation album by American jazz musician Miles Davis, released in 1981 by Columbia Records. It collects previously unreleased outtakes that Davis recorded between 1960 and 1970. Directions was the last of a series of compilation albums—mostly consisting of, at that time, previously unreleased music—that Columbia released to bridge Davis' recording hiatus that ended with the Man with the Horn in July 1981.
Blues in Orbit is an album by jazz composer, arranger, conductor and pianist Gil Evans, recorded in 1969 and 1971 by Evans with an orchestra featuring Jimmy Cleveland, Howard Johnson, Billy Harper, and Joe Beck. The album was originally released on the short-lived Ampex label as Gil Evans (1970) but received wider release on the Enja label under this title.
Count Basie Story is a double album by pianist, composer and bandleader Count Basie featuring tracks originally performed by his orchestra in the 1930s and 1940s rerecorded in 1960 as a celebration of its 25th anniversary and first released on the Roulette label. Selections from the 2-LP set were also released as Roulette's The Best of Basie in 1962 and The Best of Basie Vol. 2 in 1964. The album was rereleased with bonus tracks in 2004 to commemorate Basie's 100th birthday.