His compositions often utilized a few basic formulas or patterns combined into a complex structure over which he then improvised. He took his place alongside the great masters of composition, demonstrating all of the style characteristics that have distinguished him as one of the most innovative pianists in jazz.
His work has been interpreted by other pianists in countless ways through the years. Most compositions have been recorded several times and were part of Bill Evans' trio and solo repertoire.īill Evans was a gifted and sensitive composer, his compositions are among the richest and most original compositions in jazz, laced with beautiful, lush alterations and passing chords. In his third year at high school he wrote already his first composition "Very Early", a tune in waltz time. His compositions were closely tied to his improvisational style. He was however a productive composer and wrote more than 50 compositions. Initially Evans was underrated as a composer, his talents in this area being "overshadowed by the genius of his playing". But any time I come across a tune that I really love and get into, by coincidence or whatever circumstance, I'll use it regardless.īill Evans took post-graduate studies in composition at the Mannes College of Music during the periode in which he recorded his first album as a leader. So I would like to get busier writing, Album), and writing for the trio also. That would be enough for me, the rest of my life, but I've always had a compositional ambition and desire. Somehow, although I don't depart from a standard form that much, the vehicles that I write lend themselves maybe a little Comrade Conrad - Bill Evans - The Bill Evans Album (CD to the way the trio plays sometimes.
Can Cankaya, William Paterson University, But I'm leaning a little heavier on original material, and I think I'll probably be emphasizing original material even more in the future. An analysis of Bill Evans' approach to playing the melody of selected jazz balladsthesis by M. Evans effectively combined all of these devices together to produce his own original, significant, and influential solo piano style. Yet his performance is the quintessence of it. Saxophonist Cannonball Adderley stated: "Bill Evans has rare originality and Comrade Conrad - Bill Evans - The Bill Evans Album (CD and the even rarer ability to make his conception of a standard seem the definitive way to play it. His reharmonizations are so beautiful that when playing standards, most musicians use his changes, rather than the original ones.
In an interview with Rubin and Enstice for the book Jazz Spoken Here Da Capo Press, Evans stated, "I respect the American popular song very much and some of the masters that have composed in that form There's still explorations that I haven't begun to make yet into handling these things.