Artist:Bill Evans
Song:What Is This Thing Called Love?
Album:Ultimate Bill Evans
At first look, one wouldn't think that Bill Evans was a great jazz pianist but today he's considered a legend. He was born Aug. 16, 1929 in Plainfield, NJ. He started taking classical piano lessons at age 6. He got interested in jazz as a teen and played the flute for a while. When he came out of the service in the 50s, he worked with composer George Russell. The turning point for Evans was when Miles Davis hired him in 1958 and Evans got a big following through the Kind Of Blue LP. He recorded with his own trio on Riverside in 1959 and then signed with Verve in 1962. What Is This Thing Called Love? is a song Evans originally recorded in 1959 but this version was recorded in 1964 with Chuck Israels on bass and Larry Bunker on drums. It sat in the Verve vault until they released The Complete Bill Evans On Verve box set in 1997. This Ultimate comp is OK for beginners. The songs were chosen by Herbie Hancock. Bill Evans had drug problems through most of his life and died on Sept. 15, 1980 at age 51. His conservatory style of playing jazz was very influential on many jazz pianists. Here's Bill Evans performing My Foolish Heart with Chuck Israels & Larry Bunker in 1964.
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