Bill Evans - 12 Classic Albums 1956-1962 [6CD Box Set] (2014)

Born William John Evans on 16 August 1929, Bill Evans is widely considered to be one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time and is considered by some to have been the most influential post-World War II jazz keyboardist. Evans' use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block chords, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today. Unlike many other jazz musicians of his time, Evans never embraced new movements like jazz fusion or free jazz. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Evans was classically trained and studied at Southeastern Louisiana University. In 1955 he moved to New York, where he worked with bandleader and theorist George Russell. In 1958, Evans joined Miles Davis' sextet, where he was to have a profound influence. In 1959, the band, then immersed in modal jazz, recorded Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album of all time. In late 1959, Evans left the Miles Davis band and began his career as a leader with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, a group now regarded as a seminal modern jazz trio. In 1961, ten days after recording the highly acclaimed Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby, LaFaro died in a car accident. After months of seclusion, Evans re-emerged with a new trio, featuring bassist Chuck Israels. Despite his success as a jazz artist, Evans suffered personal loss and struggled with drug abuse. Both his girlfriend Elaine and his brother Harry committed suicide, and he was a long time user of heroin, and later of cocaine. As a result, his financial stability, personal relationships and musical creativity suffered until his death, in 1980. Many of his compositions have become standards and have been played and recorded by many artists. Evans was honoured with 31 Grammy nominations and seven awards, and was inducted in the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame. This compilation contains Evans first 12 albums as leader covering the years 1956 - when he recorded and released his debut record New Jazz Conceptions featuring the original version of his most covered track Waltz For Debby through to his seminal Empathy album in 1962, his first for the Verve label (after finally getting out of his contract with Riverside) and a collaboration with drummer Shelly Manne. Generally considered in jazz circles as the period in which Evans star shone brightest and the era of his finest work, this 6 CD set is as close to the perfect Bill Evans collection as is currently available.