Kimiko Kasai With Gil Evans Orchestra Sacd

Gil Evans - Little Wing (1978) {Circle–West Wind 2042 rel 1990}
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© 1978, 1990 Circle Records / West Wind | 2042
Jazz / Post Bop / Progressive Jazz

Let's move a little in the '70s for this gem of a recording featuring Gil Evans and his superb group of soloists in an outstanding live set from 1978 consisting of reworkings in the unique Evans style. Every conceivable style is thrown in for good measure, the highlight of course being the superb rendition of Jimi Hendrix's Little Wing clocking a staggering 25 minutes. Absolutely essential listening.

Gil Evans - Live At The Public Theater Vol. I (1980) {Evidence Music ECD 22089-2 rel 1994}
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© 1980, 1994 Evidence Music | ECD 22089-2
Jazz / Progressive Jazz / Post Bop

One of arranger Gil Evans's main talents was his ability to fuse diverse, unique performers into a unified ensemble. He accomplishes that on the first of two LPs taken from a pair of 1980 concerts, even if his presence is felt more than heard. Although Evans is on electric piano, he also employed two other synthesizer players (Masabumi Kikuchi and Pete Levin) in his eclectic band, which at the time included such notables as Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis and Hannibal Marvin Peterson on trumpets, altoist Arthur Blythe, trombonist George Lewis, baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and drummer Billy Cobham, among others. A lengthy "Anita's Dance" and a remake of "Gone, Gone, Gone" are the more memorable selections.

Gil Evans - Priestess (1977) {Antilles Japan J33D-20001 rel 1985}
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© 1977, 1985 Antilles / Polystar Japan | J33D-20001
Jazz / Post Bop / Modern Big Band / Progressive Jazz

Gil Evans never stopped growing as the years went on – a leader who was always open to new ideas and new modes of expression – which he reached for strongly, even as his older "modern" contemporaries started to sound out of date! This excellent late 70s session is a key illustration of Evans' continual drive – as he works in modes that equally embrace acoustic and electric elements, but never like a funky big band record, or some of the electrification added to older groups – instead with this richly visionary way that brings all the elements together at a level that's completely sublime!

Gil Evans - Gil Evans & Ten (1957) {Prestige OJCCD-346-2 rel 1999}
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© 1957, 1999 Prestige / Fantasy / Universal | OJCCD-346-2 / 00025218634625
Jazz / Cool / Modern Big Band / Progressive Jazz

Although arranger Gil Evans had been active in the major leagues of jazz ever since the mid-'40s and had participated in Miles Davis' famous Birth of the Cool recordings, Gil Evans & Ten was his first opportunity to record as a leader. The set features a typically unusual 11-piece unit consisting of two trumpets, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, French horn player Willie Ruff, Steve Lacy on soprano, altoist Lee Konitz, Dave Kurtzer on bassoon, bassist Paul Chambers, and either Nick Stabulas or Jo Jones on drums, plus the leader's sparse piano.

Gil Evans - Live At The Public Theater Vol. II (1980) {Evidence Music ECD 22090-2 rel 1994}
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© 1980, 1994 Evidence Music | ECD 22090-2
Jazz / Progressive Jazz / Post Bop

The second of two Gil Evans LPs originally recorded for the Japanese Trio label and put out in the United States on the now-defunct Black-Hawk company features the veteran arranger leading a 14-piece group at a pair of 1980 concerts. The five selections (which include Jimi Hendrix's "Stone Free," Charles Mingus' "Orange Was the Color of Her Dress" and Evans's "Zee Zee") are given colorful treatment by the unique band, which consists of three keyboardists, a rhythm section propelled by drummer Billy Cobham, three trumpets (Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis and Hannibal Marvin Peterson), two trombones (including George Lewis), John Clark on French horn, baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and altoist Arthur Blythe. Although the end results do not quite live up to the potential of this unique ensemble, there are plenty of colorful moments.