Bill Evans, 30 Years Later

I was driving up to my home in The Berkshires for one of the last times this season on Friday and I had some music on the CD player and on came Waltz for Debby, the version with Cannonball Adderley and Bill Evans on Riverside. And I turned to the lovely Mrs. JC and told her to listen to the rapport and warmth shared between these two giants and it was remarkable listening to this track, which I must have heard thousands of times — no exaggeration — with fresh ears once again. And it is, indeed, a thing of beauty. Then I looked through my email this morning, clearing things out, and I noticed that someone had sent me an article from The Wall Street Journal paying tribute to Bill Evans on the occasion of the

30th anniversary of his death at the age of 51. I appreciate it when the general press writes about our jazz heroes, particularly someone as under-appreciated as Evans, because perhaps it can inspire someone new to listen and hear the remarkable beauty and innovation of the music. And, with Evans, it is still amazing how powerfully personal his music holds up today, which is one of the points of the article. Anyway, I wanted to share this with you all and if it inspires you to put some Evans on the turntable, perhaps some Evans with Cannonball, then I know it will brighten your day and put a smile on your face.