Bill Evans in Norway - The Kongsberg Concert
Bill Evans; Eddie Gomez; Marty Morell
Elemental Music (elementalmusicrecords.bandcamp.com/album/bill-evans-in-norway-the-kongsberg-concert)
To say that iconic jazz pianist Bill Evans has been a profound influence on several generations of jazz pianists would be something of an understatement. Evans (who passed in 1980) emerged as a sideman on the New York scene in the 1950s, and through his work with a long list of jazz luminaries, Evans not only helped usher in contemporary jazz (with all of its modern expressions), but also perfected the Art of the Trio as we know it today. This never previously released music was originally recorded at a concert at Norway’s Kongsberg Jazz Festival in June 1970. The recording was produced for this release by “Jazz Detective” Zev Feldman. Evans is joined here by his longest-running trio – Eddie Gomez on bass and Marty Morrell on drums. This comprehensive, annotated recording includes rare interviews with Evans with extensive notes by Evans scholar Marc Myers.
The brilliantly restored programme includes a cornucopia of standards from legendary tunesmiths, and features fresh versions of two Evans compositions, 34 Skidoo and Turn Out the Stars. At the time of the performance, Evans was in a particularly positive space, which is very much apparent in the lively tempos and energy of the trio. Harold Arlen’s Come Rain or Come Shine is performed here with a free, extended bass solo by Gomez, framed by the relentless rhythm of Morell. Evans jumps in with joy, in a celebration of both the melody and its improvisational possibilities.
During What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life the audience is reverential as they experience both the sheer artistry and great sensitivity of Evans. Other standouts include an almost modal, up-tempo Autumn Leaves, a sumptuous piano performance of Denny Zeitlan’s Quiet Now and the nearly unbearable beauty of Bernstein’s Some Other Time. Every track here is a gem – and a living tutorial of how jazz should be understood and played.
