Bill Evans and The Trio That Changed Trios

Mar 10, 2025

Discover the groundbreaking Bill Evans Trio, known for their brief but pivotal collaboration. Their albums like Portrait in Jazz and Sunday at the Village Vanguard transformed jazz, blending innovative techniques with emotional depth. The discussion unveils the chemistry between Evans, LaFaro, and Motian, especially around iconic tracks such as 'Waltz for Debbie.' With a touch of humor, the hosts also explore how identity and creativity intersect in the jazz world, leaving listeners with a profound appreciation for this timeless music.

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ANECDOTE

Trio Anniversaries

Adam Maness celebrates the six-year anniversary of his trio.
Peter Barton's trio has been together for 11 or 12 years.

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INSIGHT

Short-Lived but Influential

The Bill Evans Trio, with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, was only together for 18 months.
Despite this, they became one of the most influential jazz trios ever, recording four iconic albums.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

LaFaro's Early Career

Scott LaFaro, a child prodigy, played with Chet Baker and Stan Kenton.
He also played with Ornette Coleman while in the Bill Evans Trio.

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The Bill Evans Trio: A Legacy of Innovation

02:23 • 19min

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The Impact of a Day at the Village Vanguard

21:32 • 2min

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The Art of Rehearsal and Iconic Compositions

23:30 • 2min

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The Magic of Bill Evans' Trio

25:11 • 13min

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Humor and Identity in Creative Exchange

38:26 • 2min

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Exploring Bill Evans' Piano Trios

40:01 • 6min

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Portrait in Jazz

Album by the Bill Evans Trio

Bill Evans

Scott LaFaro

Paul Motian

Portrait in Jazz is a groundbreaking album by the Bill Evans Trio, featuring Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. It marked a significant shift in jazz by elevating the bass and drums to equal partnership with the piano, creating a new dynamic in jazz trio performances. The album includes jazz standards and original compositions, showcasing the trio's unique interplay and improvisational style.

Explorations: Through the Wormhole

None

Nathan Hystad

This book is part of a series that explores themes of space travel and first contact. It is set in a future where wormholes have appeared, leading to new possibilities and challenges for humanity.

Sunday at the Village Vanguard

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Bill Evans

Bill Evans' "Sunday at the Village Vanguard" is a legendary live album, capturing the intimacy and brilliance of a trio performance at the iconic jazz club. The album features Evans' exquisite piano playing alongside Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Their interplay is seamless and deeply emotional, creating a timeless masterpiece of jazz. The album's impact on jazz is profound, influencing countless musicians and solidifying Evans' place as a jazz icon. The album's tragic backstory, with LaFaro's death shortly after the recording, adds to its emotional resonance.

Waltz for Debbie

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Bill Evans

Bill Evans' "Waltz for Debbie" is a beautiful and poignant live album, recorded at the Village Vanguard in the same week as his iconic "Sunday at the Village Vanguard. " The album features Evans' delicate piano playing alongside Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. Their interplay is exquisite, creating a deeply moving musical experience. The album's title track, "Waltz for Debbie," is a tender and heartfelt composition, showcasing Evans' emotional depth. The album's tragic backstory, with LaFaro's death shortly after the recording, adds to its emotional resonance.

Intermodulation

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Jim Hall

Intermodulation is a duo album by Bill Evans and Jim Hall, released in 1966. It showcases the interplay between Evans' piano and Hall's guitar, highlighting their respective virtuosity and improvisational skills. The album features a mix of standards and originals, demonstrating the musicians' ability to create a cohesive and engaging musical dialogue. It's considered a classic example of chamber jazz, characterized by its intimate setting and sophisticated arrangements. The album's enduring popularity is a testament to its artistic merit and lasting impact on jazz music. It remains a favorite among jazz enthusiasts and continues to inspire musicians today.

Kind of Blue

The Making Of The Miles Davis Masterpiece

Ashley Kahn

This book provides a comprehensive look at the making of 'Kind of Blue', one of the most influential jazz albums of all time. Ashley Kahn delves into the early career of Miles Davis, the formation of the band that recorded the album, and the recording sessions at CBS's 30th Street Studio in New York in 1959. The book includes eyewitness accounts, newly discovered documents, and detailed explanations of the musical concepts, particularly modal jazz, that defined the album. It also explores the album's reception, marketing, and its enduring impact on music and musicians. The text is enriched with photographs, quotes from those involved, and a thorough analysis of the album's significance.

Can you believe the most celebrated Bill Evans Trio was only together for 18 months? In this episode, we’re looking at early 60's Bill alongside Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and the four albums they recorded together before LaFaro’s tragic death at just 25 years old. From Portrait in Jazz and its cross-over with Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue through Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie – recorded live on the same day in June 1961. We break down their conversational approach to jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves,” geek out over Bill Evans music theory, and explore his distinct voicings and voice leading techniques. Whether you’re a mid-century jazz aficionado or just looking for the perfect “sweater weather trio songs to somberly study to,” we’ve got just the playlist for you.

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