AccuRadio Song Of The Day-The Bill Evans Trio

Artist:The Bill Evans Trio

Song:Someday My Prince Will Come

Album:The Classic Trio 1959-61

This is part of my series where I am recommending jazz albums for beginners complete with a performance video clip. With pianist Bill Evans, his prime was his trio recordings from 1959-61 on Riverside Records before his heroin addiction was a big problem. He was born Aug. 16, 1929 in Plainfield, NJ. Evans and his older brother both took piano lessons. He got into jazz as a teen and was very fond of Nat King Cole. Evans attended Southeastern Louisiana University on a flute scholarship. While in college, he met guitarist Mundell Lowe and after graduating, they formed a trio with bassist Red Mitchell. They moved to New York City. But when they couldn't get any bookings, they moved to Chicago. Evans joined Herbie Fields' band in 1950 and toured with Billie Holiday. Evans was in the US Army from 1951-54 at Fort Sheridan. After his discharge, Evans returned to New York and he signed with producer Orrin Keepnews at Riverside Records. He also worked with composer George Russell. Evans recorded for Riverside from 1956-62. It's generally considered to be his best period. Evans usually recorded with a trio. Evans joined Miles Davis' band that also featured John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley and they recorded the 1959 album Kind of Blue. Evans also appeared on a couple of Adderley albums. This was good for Evans' musical development and he would soon leave the Davis band. Evans already knew bassist Scott LaFaro. He approached Evans and suggested they form a trio with drummer Paul Motian. Someday My Prince Will Come is from their first album Portrait in Jazz from 1960. Of course that song is from the 1937 Disney film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. At one time music from Disney films was considered too lowbrow for jazz. That changed with Dave Brubeck's 1957 album Dave Digs Disney. Then Evans recorded Someday My Prince Will Come. It became a regular part of his repertoire. Davis recorded the song in 1962. This trio was very successful. They recorded four albums. This 2CD comp from the British label Acrobat covers those albums. I'm sure this trio would have continued except Scott LaFaro died in a car accident on July 6, 1961. This devastated Evans and he didn't record or perform for months. And his heroin addiction got worse. Keepnews convinced Evans to return. Chuck Israels replaced La Faro in the trio and later Motian was replaced by Larry Bunker. Evans left Riverside for Verve and Milestone. In the 70s he recorded for Columbia and Fantasy. Evans met bassist Eddie Gomez in 1966 and they recorded usually with drummer Marty Morell until Evans' death on Sept. 15, 1980 at age 51. Here's Bill Evans with Chuck Israels on bass and Larry Bunker on drums performing Someday My Prince Will Come on the British TV series Jazz 625 Mar. 19, 1965.