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 - Lançado por ENLIGHTENMENT em 16/12/2016
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The Individualism Of Gil Evans
Jazz - Lançado por Verve Reissues em 01/01/1964
A discografia ideal da QobuzQualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
New Bottle Old Wine - The Great Jazz Composers Interpreted by Gil Evans and his Orchestra
Jazz - Lançado por Blue Note Records em 01/09/1958
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Plays The Music Of Jimi Hendrix
Jazz - Lançado por RCA Victor em 06/03/1997
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Miles Davis - Gil Evans - The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings
Jazz - Lançado por Columbia - Legacy em 01/08/1996
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Gil Evans & Ten
Jazz - Lançado por Prestige em 04/05/2021
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Great Jazz Standards + New Bottle, Old Wine
Jazz - Lançado por Efor, S.L em 10/01/2011
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New Bottle Old Wine (Remastered)
Jazz - Lançado por AVID Entertainment em 01/01/1958
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Sketches of Spain (Mono Version)
Miles Davis, Gil Evans Orchestra, Gil Evans
Jazz - Lançado por BNF Collection em 18/07/1960
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Anthology (Original Recordings)
Jazz - Lançado por Miradas Records em 30/01/2015
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Out of the Cool (Bonus Track Version)
Jazz - Lançado por Lullaby in Rhythm em 01/01/1960
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Svengali
Jazz - Lançado por Rhino Atlantic em 01/01/1973
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Out of the Cool
World - Lançado por TP4 Music em 06/01/2023
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Verve Jazz Masters 23: Gil Evans
Jazz - Lançado por VERVE em 01/01/1994
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Paris Blues
Jazz - Lançado por Universal Music Division Decca Records France em 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 - Lançado por Avid Entertainment em 17/02/2013
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Out of the Cool (Remastered)
Jazz - Lançado por Efor, S.L em 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 - Lançado por Bella Musica Edition em 13/10/2017
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Gershwin: Porgy and Bess (Mono Version)
Gil Evans Orchestra, Gil Evans, Miles Davis
Jazz - Lançado por BNF Collection em 01/01/1959
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo