Gil Evans
A superb jazz arranger and bandleader, Gil Evans rivaled Ellington and Mingus in his ability to provide imaginative frameworks for individual voices within a large orchestra. He wrote elaborate, intricate arrangements that didn't weaken or threaten his band's spontaneity. His most renowned work came in the late '50s, when Miles Davis signed with Columbia and brought Evans into the studio with a large ensemble. The resultant albums -- Miles Ahead (1957), Porgy and Bess (1958), Sketches of Spain (1959) -- became milestones in the careers of both men. Evans was hardly a purist; he began using electronics in his bands in the '70s and scandalized some by recording Jimi Hendrix material. His style got looser in later years, with more space and less precision, but certainly his music remained compelling. Evans' harmonic language, compositional and arranging skill were immense, and he was responsible for many masterpieces through either his arrangements, compositions, or conducting.
A self-taught musician, Evans led his own group in California during the mid and late '30s. He remained its arrranger after Skinnay Ennis became bandleader, until he joined Claude Thornhill's orchestra in 1941 as an arranger. His arrangements of classical bebop compositions helped shape and make Thornhill's orchestra a topflight band. He stayed until 1948, except for a stretch in the service during the mid-'40s. Evans first worked with Miles Davis in the late '40s and early '50s, creating the same magic, but with a smaller combo. He also wrote songs for Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, and Benny Goodman, while conducting albums for Astrud Gilberto and Kenny Burrell.
Evans generated more fireworks later in the '50s and '60s with Davis, writing spectacular arrangements for the albums Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, and Sketches of Spain (later came Quiet Nights). Evans also played piano on some sessions. These, and his 1958 album New Bottle Old Wine remain landmark works. His own intriguing releases in the '60s included Out of the Cool, Into the Hot, and The Individualism of Gil Evans.
Evans did more writing in the '70s, penning such works as "Las Vegas Tango," "Proclamation" and "Anita's Dance." He issued more fine albums, such as 1974's The Gil Evans Orchestra Plays the Music of Jimi Hendrix and 1983's Priestess.
He continued writing, arranging and recording in the '80s, and for a lengthy period his band was the featured attraction at Sweet Basil's in New York on Monday nights. Evans recorded for Enja, Mole, and other labels in the '80s. His 75th birthday concert was held in London in 1987; he died the next year.
© Ron Wynn /TiVo
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The Classic Albums 1956 - 1963
Jazz - Erschienen bei ENLIGHTENMENT am 16.12.2016
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The Individualism Of Gil Evans
Jazz - Erschienen bei Verve Reissues am 01.01.1964
Qobuz’ Schallplattensammlung16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Plays The Music Of Jimi Hendrix
Jazz - Erschienen bei RCA Victor am 06.03.1997
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New Bottle Old Wine - The Great Jazz Composers Interpreted by Gil Evans and his Orchestra
Jazz - Erschienen bei Blue Note Records am 01.09.1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Miles Davis - Gil Evans - The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings
Jazz - Erschienen bei Columbia - Legacy am 01.08.1996
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Great Jazz Standards + New Bottle, Old Wine
Jazz - Erschienen bei Efor, S.L am 10.01.2011
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New Bottle Old Wine (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei AVID Entertainment am 01.01.1958
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Sketches of Spain (Mono Version)
Miles Davis, Gil Evans Orchestra, Gil Evans
Jazz - Erschienen bei BNF Collection am 18.07.1960
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Anthology (Original Recordings)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Miradas Records am 30.01.2015
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Out of the Cool (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Lullaby in Rhythm am 01.01.1960
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Out of the Cool
World Music - Erschienen bei TP4 Music am 06.01.2023
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Moon Dreams - Rediscovered Music of Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan
Dutch Jazz Orchestra, Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan
Jazz - Erschienen bei Challenge Records am 16.10.2008
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Verve Jazz Masters 23: Gil Evans
Jazz - Erschienen bei Verve am 01.01.1994
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Paris Blues
Jazz - Erschienen bei Universal Music Division Decca Records France am 01.01.1987
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Four Classic Albums (New Bottle Old Wine / Great Jazz Standards / Out of the Cool / Into the Hot) [Remastered]
Jazz - Erschienen bei Avid Entertainment am 17.02.2013
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Out of the Cool (Remastered)
Jazz - Erschienen bei Efor, S.L am 01.01.1960
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All Time Jazz: Live at Carnegie Hall New York (Live)
Miles Davis Quintet, Gil Evans, The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Jazz - Erschienen bei Bella Musica Edition am 13.10.2017
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