Indeed, classical pianists like Jean-Yves Thibaudet have recorded note-for-note transcriptions of Evans’ performances, bringing out the direct lineage with classical composers. There is no more influential jazz-oriented pianist, only McCoy Tyner exerts nearly as much pull among younger players and journeymen and Evans has left his mark on such noted players as Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, and Brad Mehldau.īorrowing heavily from the impressionism of Debussy and Ravel, Evans brought a new, introverted, relaxed, lyrical, European classical sensibility into jazz - and that seems to have attracted a lot of young conservatory-trained pianists who follow his chord voicings to the letter in clubs and on stages everywhere. With the passage of time, Evans has become an entire school unto himself for pianists and a singular mood unto himself for listeners. Downbeat Hall of Fame pianist, composer and leader, jazz icon William “Bill” John Evans (Aug– September 15, 1980) was born on this date in 1929.
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