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 - Released by ENLIGHTENMENT on 16 Dec 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Individualism Of Gil Evans
Jazz - Released by Verve Reissues on 1 Jan 1964
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
New Bottle Old Wine - The Great Jazz Composers Interpreted by Gil Evans and his Orchestra
Jazz - Released by Blue Note Records on 1 Sep 1958
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Plays The Music Of Jimi Hendrix
Jazz - Released by RCA Victor on 6 Mar 1997
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Miles Davis - Gil Evans - The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings
Jazz - Released by Columbia - Legacy on 1 Aug 1996
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Great Jazz Standards + New Bottle, Old Wine
Jazz - Released by Efor, S.L on 10 Jan 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
New Bottle Old Wine (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by AVID Entertainment on 1 Jan 1958
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sketches of Spain (Mono Version)
Miles Davis, Gil Evans Orchestra, Gil Evans
Jazz - Released by BNF Collection on 18 Jul 1960
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Anthology (Original Recordings)
Jazz - Released by Miradas Records on 30 Jan 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Out of the Cool (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Released by Lullaby in Rhythm on 1 Jan 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Verve Jazz Masters 23: Gil Evans
Jazz - Released by Verve on 1 Jan 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Moon Dreams - Rediscovered Music of Gil Evans and Gerry Mulligan
Dutch Jazz Orchestra, Gil Evans, Gerry Mulligan
Jazz - Released by Challenge Records on 16 Oct 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Paris Blues
Jazz - Released by Universal Music Division Decca Records France on 1 Jan 1987
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Four Classic Albums (New Bottle Old Wine / Great Jazz Standards / Out of the Cool / Into the Hot) [Remastered]
Jazz - Released by Avid Entertainment on 17 Feb 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Out of the Cool (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Efor, S.L on 1 Jan 1960
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
All Time Jazz: Live at Carnegie Hall New York (Live)
Miles Davis Quintet, Gil Evans, The Dave Brubeck Quartet
Jazz - Released by Bella Musica Edition on 13 Oct 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo