Why is Bill Evans so important to jazz?
Who Was Bill Evans? Bill Evans, one of the most influential and tragic figures of the post-bop jazz piano, was known for his highly nuanced touch, the clarity of the feeling content of his music and his reform of the chord voicing system pianists used.
Why is Bill Evans so influential?
Bill Evans, who died 35 years ago this year at age 51, has remained a central influence on how pianists play jazz. His conception of the jazz trio became the model for balancing the good of the group with individual freedom in the modern rhythm section of piano, bass and drums.
Who is considered the greatest jazz pianist of all time?
Let’s get started!
- 1 – Jelly Roll Morton. Jelly Roll Morton is a very great American jazz pianist, born in 1890 in New Orleans.
- 2 – Scott Joplin.
- 3 – Duke Ellington.
- 4 – Art Tatum.
- 5 – Thelonius Monk.
- 6 – Dave Brubeck.
- 7 – Count Basie.
- 8 – Herbie Hancock.
Who was the most influential piano player after Bud Powell?
Herbie Hancock Hancock is very much a living legend of modern jazz music, and is seen by some as the successor to the greats we’ve mentioned above. Miles Davies stated in his autobiography, “Herbie was the step after Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, and I haven’t heard anybody yet who has come after him.”
What is Bill Evans best known for?
Bill Evans, byname of William John Evans, (born August 16, 1929, Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.—died September 15, 1980, New York, New York), American jazz pianist known for lush harmonies and lyrical improvisation, one of the most influential pianists of his time.
What type of jazz is Bill Evans?
modal jazz
William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who mostly worked as the leader of a trio….
| Bill Evans | |
|---|---|
| Genres | Jazz, modal jazz, third stream, cool jazz, post-bop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician Composer Arranger |
| Instruments | Piano |
| Years active | 1950s–1980 |
How did Bill Evans learn piano?
William John Evans (1929–1980) of Plainfield, New Jersey began studying piano with his older brother Harry around age 5. Both Harry and Bill played for hire as teenagers in a variety of styles. Bill attended Southeastern Louisiana University on a flute scholarship, studying music theory and piano.
Is Bill Evans the best pianist?
Bill Evans is one of the most important pianists in jazz. He attained this stature by playing to his strengths. His distinctive tone at the instrument allowed him to wring large amounts of emotion from just a few notes.
What makes a great jazz pianist?
What makes a jazz pianist “sound good.” It’s fluency and rhythmic flexibility. The ability to improvise in a fluent way, just as you and I can use our language to think and to communicate with others.
What style of piano playing from the 1900s was an influence of jazz?
ragtime
Jazz is a distinctively American style of music that developed in the early decades of the 20th century. Its roots include many Afro-American folk music traditions, such as spirituals, work songs, and blues. It also borrowed from 19th century band music and the ragtime style of piano playing.
How did Bill Evans learn jazz?
Evans recalled first hearing jazz at the age of twelve or so: the big band recordings of Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, followed by the great jazz instrumentalists. His brother, who was already absorbing the idiom, was learning the trumpet and playing in the school rehearsal band.
Who did Bill Evans influence?
The way Evans built and connected chords and improvised melodies gave his playing a romantic quality that contrasted with much of 1950s bebop. Classical composers such as Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and Aleksandr Scriabin were influences, along with jazz pianists Bud Powell, Lennie Tristano, and Horace Silver.