Pete Evans

Scott LaFaro - Pieces Of Jade (1961) {Resonance Records HCD-2005 rel 2009} (Bill Evans related)
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© 1961, 2009 Resonance Records | HCD-2005
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Music / Bass

Considering the legendary bassist Scott LaFaro released no albums as a leader and was known strictly as a sideman, that this recording exists is nothing less than a miracle, and an event in the annals of jazz. It consists of a brief program featuring five selections with the equally brilliant pianist Don Friedman and drummer Pete La Roca, a long rehearsal tape of "My Foolish Heart" with the Bill Evans Trio circa 1966, a 1966 interview about LaFaro with Evans, and a solo piano piece from Friedman done in 1985. So while only half of the disc faithfully features LaFaro's deep and honest bass playing, it is more than worthwhile to finally hear.

Keyboardist-arranger-composer PeteLevin’s 9th solo release, Mobius, was recorded live in the studio in two days, capturing the“no boundaries” spirit of Gil Evans. The music explores textural grooves ranging from straight-ahead bop to funk, world-beat, and the experimental. The disc features 10 tracks including 8 originals, “I Mean You” by Thelonious Monk & Coleman Hawkins and “There Comes A Time” by Tony Williams. Anchored by Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel’s original bassist) and Lenny White (Chick Corea’s original drummer) the high-energy band and the compositions have the spontaneity and dynamics of a live performance. In a diverse music career spanning several decades, Levin has performed and recorded with numerous jazz and pop artists, including Paul Simon, Annie Lennox, David Sanborn, Jaco Pastorius, Robbie Robertson and John Scofield.

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and new modes of expression – which he reached for strongly, even as his older "modern" contemporaries started to sound out of date!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 - 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.