Piece image

Bill Evans: 'Piano Impressionism'

From: NPR Music
Series: Jazz Profiles
Length: 54:00

Embed_button
Pianist Bill Evans turned out to be one of the most influential pianists of his generation. Before his untimely death in 1980, he had made nearly 100 recordings Read the full description.

Evans250_small Pianist Bill Evans turned out to be one of the most influential pianists of his generation. Before his untimely death in 1980, he had made nearly 100 recordings. He became well known for his work with Miles Davis and broke new ground with drummer Paul Motian and bassist Scott LaFaro in the development of the jazz trio.

Also in the Jazz Profiles series

Piece image

Ella Fitzgerald, 'First Lady of Song' (54:00)
From: NPR Music

Her voice is instantly recognizable. Her youthful exuberance, pure sound and positive energy just make you feel good. Her incredible technical abilities were self-evident, ...
Piece image

Art Tatum, 'The Musician's Musician' (58:00)
From: NPR Music

One of the greatest improvisers in jazz history, Art Tatum also set the standard for technical dexterity with his classic 1933 recording of "Tea for Two."
Caption: Miles Davis (July 1991), Credit: Patrick Hertzog/AFP/Getty Images

Miles Davis, Part 1: Miles' Styles (54:00)
From: NPR Music

Miles Davis was the personification of restless spirit, always pushing himself and his music into uncharted territory.
Piece image

Miles Davis, Part 2: 'Kind of Blue' (54:00)
From: NPR Music

The best-selling jazz record of all time is a universally acknowledged masterpiece, revered as much by rock and classical music fans as by jazz lovers. The album is Miles ...
Piece image

Johnny Hartman, 'The Romantic Balladeer' (54:00)
From: NPR Music

Johnny Hartman was the quintessential romantic balladeer. The only singer to record with John Coltrane — on the iconic album John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman — his fame was ...
Piece image

Sidney Bechet, 'Soprano Sax King' (54:00)
From: NPR Music

Sidney Bechet was the undisputed king of the soprano saxophone and also one of the most innovative and original clarinetists in jazz.
Caption: Mary Lou Williams, Credit: Michael Ochs Archives

Mary Lou Williams, 'Perpetually Contemporary' (54:31)
From: NPR Music

Mary Lou Williams was not only present for nearly every development in jazz music -- she was influential to most of them. In her compositions, arrangements, piano playing, ...
Caption: A young Louis Armstrong., Credit: Getty Images

Louis Armstrong: 'The Man and His Music,' Part 1 (54:00)
From: NPR Music

It is hard to overstate the incredible reach of Louis Armstrong. The music he made touched everyone who heard it, and revolutionized American entertainment in ways we can ...
Caption: Louis Armstrong, pictured here in 1956, produced hit films and records throughout his long career., Credit: Getty Images

Louis Armstrong: 'The Man and His Music,' Part 2 (54:00)
From: NPR Music

By his early thirties, Louis Armstrong had already revolutionized jazz forever. Working with his mentor "King" Oliver in Chicago, Armstrong explored and expanded the sounds ...
Caption: Louis Armstrong, in a 1944 publicity photograph., Credit: Getty Images

Louis Armstrong: 'The Trumpeter' (54:00)
From: NPR Music

Before Louis Armstrong ever sang a duet with Ella Fitzgerald or Bing Crosby, there was just a lanky young man with a bright, beautiful horn. That young man transformed the ...

Piece Description

Pianist Bill Evans turned out to be one of the most influential pianists of his generation. Before his untimely death in 1980, he had made nearly 100 recordings. He became well known for his work with Miles Davis and broke new ground with drummer Paul Motian and bassist Scott LaFaro in the development of the jazz trio.

1 Comment Atom Feed

User image

Review of Jazz Profiles: Bill Evans

Timely for now, timely for nearly any air time, and especially timely if you find yourself in a position to introduce the soul, struggle, whimsy and aching beauty that pervades Bill Evans' music to first time listeners. But this is also a celebration for all Bill Evans fans and admirers.

Host Nancy Wilson and the JP producers unobtrusively, yet with clarity and authority, weave their way in and out of the music to bring you the relevant descriptors and biographical notes that make the many veins of Evans' music resound so movingly and memorably.

The program's autobiographical elements that explain the fueling and shaping of Evans' music may stand out a bit on a local jazz shift, but will work superbly in your station's specialty program or documentary slots. There's also a place for the program from late morning on during your weekend programming.

The Bill Evans story, like Bill Evans' music, never gets tired. Jazz Profiles has done a superb job of advancing the story of a performer whose music can easily speak for itself. This show will appeal to those making their first or second acquaintance with Bill Evans and will also warm up those who were converted long ago.

Timing and Cues

00:00 IN: Support for...
37:00 OUT: ...National Public Radio.
[:49 MUSIC BED]
37:50 IN: Throughout his career...
53:57 OUT: ...National Public Radio.