One of the most important discoveries of previously unissued live performances by pianist Bill Evans was released on Friday. Mind you, most of Evans's live performances qualify as being very good to excellent. But Bill Evans, Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings From Denmark (1965-1969) (Elemental Music) is especially spectacular. There was something about Denmark that brought out the best in Evans, who plays on a majority of this two-CD/three LP set with a relaxed, measured calm and a beauty that exceeds most of his other live recordings.
I wrote the overview liner notes to this set and was struck from the start by the organic quality of Evans's tranquility and time. The Danes and the country were exceedingly hospitable and receptive to fine artists and this vibe seemed to put Evans at ease. Perhaps it was the classical orientation of the culture coupled with the public's robust respect for jazz. Evans wasn't alone, of course. Copenhagen attracted many superb American jazz musicians in the 1960s and '70s who performed there and even married and settled in Denmark.
What also makes this set notable is the time frame—a period when Evans became more self-confident as a leader and played with tenderness and singular depth. What's more, Evans on the album plays in three different formats—trio, orchestra and solo—providing fans with a diverse and fascinating listening experience. In this regard, the album is a feast.
The first three tracks, from October 1965, feature Evans with Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass and Alan Dawson on drums. On the next five tracks, recorded a month later, Alex Riel takes over on drums. Then come seven tracks featuring Evans with the Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra and the Danish Radio Big band, arranged and conduced by trumpeter Palle Mikkelborg. His score has Gil Evans touches, and Bill Evans (no relation), joins the orchestra as featured soloist. [Photo above of Palle Mikkelborg by Jan Persson/CTSImages]
The orchestral suite is a tribute to Evans, opening with Intro, a salute by Mikkelborg. Then comes Mikkelborg's interpretations of Evans originals—Waltz for Debby, Time Remembered and My Bells, followed by a piece by Mikkelborg called Treasures. Next is a Waltz for Debby reprise and, finally, Walkin' Up. This portion of the album was recorded in November 1969. [Photo above of Bill Evans from the orchestral session by Jan Persson/CTSImages]
Six solo piano pieces follow , from November 1965. Each performance is pure magic: Re: Person I Knew, 'Round Midnight, My Funny Valentine, Time Remembered and Epilogue. The next six tracks feature Evans with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Alex Riel, from October 1966. The final four songs feature Evans, Gomez and drummer Marty Morell in November 1969.
Three cheers for the album's producer, Zev Feldman, for uncovering these gems and working in tandem with co-producers Jordi Soley and Elemental's Carlos Augustin. Zev credits them with scouring Danish archives to find this music, so three cheers for them as well. [Photo above of Zev Feldman by Zak Shelby-Szysko]
We are especially fortunate to have Mikkelborg's orchestral tribute concert with Evans's participation. Virtually all of Evans's orchestral leadership albums have either been a disaster (Plays the Theme from The V.I.P.s and Other Great Songs), ponderous (Living Time), unfocused (Symbiosis) or simply unissued (the never-released volume 2 of Bill Evans at Town Hall, featuring a band arranged by Al Cohn).
If there is a perfect Bill Evans album, this is it. Treasures features the pianist at his very best, and his playing across this four-year period in Denmark is uniformly superb and moving.
JazzWax tracks: You'll find Bill Evans, Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra Recordings From Denmark (1965-1969) (Elemental Music) here.
JazzWax clips: Here's Very Early, from November 1965...
Here's My Bells, from November 1969...
And here's Denny Zeitlin's Quiet Now from November 1969...
