new Bill Evans bio
PETER GILLESPIE
a new Bill Evans biography ("Everything Happens To Me")
on the shelves the other day and I'm curious if anyone
here had purchased/read it and what your opinions might be.
thanks.
Tony Gifford
making and his challenges. A must read IMHO.
"PETER GILLESPIE" <rat...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:p_%z8.1163$6T5.1...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Michael Fitzgerald
wrote:
>I found it exceptional in its revealtions regarding Evans' life, his music
>making and his challenges. A must read IMHO.
Really? Have you read the other bio (Peter Pettinger's "How My Heart
Sings")? If so, could you present some comparison. I looked at the new
book ever so briefly and it didn't appear very substantial. I'm
intrigued by your comments.
Mike
fitz...@eclipse.net
http://www.eclipse.net/~fitzgera - Gigi Gryce book is now out!
Tony Gifford
"Michael Fitzgerald" <fitz...@eclipse.net> wrote in message
news:dg91dus4t0jn860q8...@4ax.com...
Nazodesu
Tony Gifford <tgif...@rogers.com> wrote:
> I enjoyed both.
How would you compare them. "How My Heart Sings" more or less
catalogues his life from one recording to another. They mention over a
few paragraphs that his marriage was dissolving. Later it dissolves.
Not exactly a narrative approach to his life. On the other the writer
does a fair job delineating various periods and advents of technique
etc.
So how does the new book look vis-a-vis the above?
Tony Gifford
an arranger, composer and player. It recounts his health and addiction
challenges fully.
"Nazodesu" <mus...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:020520020839562723%mus...@adelphia.net...
PETER GILLESPIE
let me say that i did read How My Heart Sings and, for what it's
worth, found that very worthwhile also.
peter
---------
"Tony Gifford" <tgif...@rogers.com> wrote in message
news:IDdA8.78502$Il1....@news02.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
steveb
GILLESPIE at rat...@worldnet.att.net wrote on 5/3/02 2:02 PM:
I am interested in Bill Evans, the everyday man also. I have the older book,
Bill's 20 minute b&w video with Steve Allen and brother Harry and a video he
mad with bassist Mark Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera. This video was made
about a year before he passed in 1980. I also saw Bill's trio in Boston
around 1972-73 at The Jazz Workshop with Gomez and Marty Morrell on drums. I
managed to look over Bill's shoulder along with some other cats and was
amazed with his hand reach and the voicigs he was playing. As a piano
student at the time, I almost thought about quiting school and being a truck
driver! But I stuck it out and in fact it was hearing Bill play that made me
want to study jazz piano. I heard the trio at the Roxy in LA right before he
died with Eddie Gomaz. Bill's playing was on, but he looked like he wasn't
feeling so well that night. The group started about 90 minutes late and Bill
and Eddie both looked like they had the flu or walking pneumonia. After a
standing ovation, Bill and drummer came back on stage sat down ready to go
for an encore, but no Gomez. Finally after a few minutes, Eddie appeared and
practically drug out his bass and he looked like he was ready to pass out.
But even though they might have been ill that night, their professionalism
showed through to its finest. It would be great if A&E could feature Bill on
biography. He is certainly more well known than some of the people they have
showcased. Like I heard Bill liked to go to the races back east and that he
was a wise gambler a bit. Also he loved to sightread difficult classical and
29th century music. He might have been a great poker player. Bill was a very
smart guy and seemed to so well in anything he tried. I still miss not being
able to see him in a local club in LA. Thanx steveb
Tony Gifford
While reading it I was struck a similarity between your description of that
evening with one in Toronto when Michel Patrucciani played at the Bamboo
Club (with Palle Daniellson on Bass and Elliot Zigmond on drums - Elliot had
played with Bill Evans also). Michel played brilliantly for the first set,
but decayed into a sleepy morass and depression and couldn't play.
"steveb" <srbg...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:B8FF3E6A.12D3%srbg...@earthlink.net...
Erin Evans
Glad to hear you are not behind the wheel of a semi, but rather a
keyboard. Thank you for sharing re: my uncle, Bill Evans. I am Harry's
youngest daughter and have posted her infrequently in the past (mostly
old "Burns burning". One can gather why). I found out about the new bio
through this thread, so, off to Amazon I go (yes, I pay retail like
everyone else :-)). So, my gratitude for the heads up. I liked "How My
Heart Sings" as it was fairly linear and straightforward and did not
linger on and on about the darker aspects of his addictions (i.e,, Burns
on Parker). Many of the old family photos that were in the book, I have
on my walls at home. I also enjoyed Kahn's book on "Kind of Blue". I
think Miles was very much attuned to my uncle's sensitivities, both
musically and personally. And, that is a trait not usually associated
with Miles' legendary nature.
Again, thanks to all who posted and to Steve for his profound, personal
memories. <get Visa card out>.
Erin
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Erin Evans
I forgot to mention that a girlfriend of mine told me she saw a bio on
my uncle on the Bravo Arts cable station a while back. She tried to find
it in their programing archives, but to no avail. Also, I recall hearing
a great panel discussion on PBS radio with (I think) Chick Corea, Fred
Hersch, Warren Bernhart and Eddie Gomez. I also really love his segment
on Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz". She has mentioned it as one of her
personal favorites. I did hear rumors of A BBC documentary being made a
while back. This may have been the piece my friend saw on Bravo Arts. I
also recently noticed a nod to him from guest Tony Bennett on Bravo's
series "Musician" and Diana Krall mentioned him as a primary influence
on Charlie Rose and Larry King. I believe she said that a pivotal point
in her life was when a high school music teacher gave her a copy of
"Live at the Vanguard".
Erin
steveb
Evans at erin...@webtv.net wrote on 11/5/02 9:04 PM:
Yes. In addition, I have the Marian McPartland Piano Jazz CD with Bill
Evans, which is great for me because both of them are playing solo and it's
like having a private lesson with them both. I love Bill's arrangement of
"Days of Wine and Roses." I happened to catch Bill on Merv Griffin, which I
understand was broadcast after he had passed. We bought the Tony
Bennett/Bill Evans solo CD which features Bill in a new light, as
accompaniest, and a damn good one too. Sometime at Local 47 Musician's Union
in Los Angeles, there was a Bill Evans Tribute which we attended that
featured Steve Allen, Mike Lang and Alan Broadbent. I sat with Win Hinkle
who put out "Letter From Evans" and who wrote a review about the concert. I
met and talked to Evan and his mother Nanette, asking them both, why no one
had written a book at that time about Bill. They said something was cooking,
but there were no specifics at the time. I also have a personal story about
Bill from a pianist I knew personally in LA. I cannot discuss it here, but
the source is reliable. As I think of more things, I'll get back.
Thanx steveb
steveb
Gifford at tgif...@rogers.com wrote on 9/5/02 10:17 AM:
Losing Bill Evans, Micel, Kenny Kirkland, Charlie Earland, and a few other
great jazz artists that I probably forgot about passing in the prime of
their careers at around 50 years of age is really tragic. Los Angeles is
full of great jazz musicians, but these late artists are some of the select
few that showed us the path which had influences of style, repetoire, etc.
In the 80's, I studied with a great jazz piano teacher, the late Buddy
Motsinger who could sightread through the variuos Bill Evans books, but make
it sound authenic. He was the guy that turned me on to Micel Patrucciani and
used to see him at LeCafe in Sherman Oaks. I am sorry I didn't get to see
him perform, but I do have a few cassettes of him. His playing was
spectacular, and it is quite amazing with his physical challenges of not
being able to reach the floor pedals that he pulled off his performances so
brilliantly. I saw Kenny Kirkland live on Jay Leno with Bradford Marsalis
and he was great. I heard he had a few students in LA and I thought about
calling him for some coaching, but never got around to it. I never thought
he would leave us so soon and I wasn't aware he was struggling so much with
opiate addiction, that eventually killed him. More later. Thanx steveb
Dan Adler
> Glad to hear you are not behind the wheel of a semi, but rather a
> keyboard. Thank you for sharing re: my uncle, Bill Evans. I am Harry's
> youngest daughter and have posted her infrequently in the past (mostly
Erin,
So, who is Debbie? Your sister?
Erin Evans
Debby is my older sister, She has the original sheet to "Waltz for....".
I also have a old photo of Uncle Bill with Debby at 3 years old at our
house in Baton Rouge. It was either during this trip or right after that
he wrote the song.
Erin
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Tue, May 21, 2002, 10:04am From:
d...@danadler.com (Dan Adler)
Erin Evans
I attended the tribute concert at the musicians union in LA. I had not
seen Evan since he was 4 years old (at a biirthday party for Uncle Bill
at his house in CT). We had hamburgers outside and sat on the curb and
"caught up". I had to leave the concert early so I did not get a chance
to see everyone.
My sister (Debby) just returned from a tribute festival at Southeastern
University in Hammond LA (where Bill and Dad attended college). As well
traveled and reknown as he was, Uncle Bill always described his college
days as "the best of his life". She was very touched by the event as
many of his (and Dads) old college buddies were there and they all
exchanged some great stories. I think the university is planning to make
this an annual event. It's a small college, so he is their most famous
alumni. Debby said the local trios were very good (Hammond is very close
to New Orleans).
I think there exists 2 radio interviews, one from a Chicago station and
another from Canada. I am notorious for "lending" things out and never
getting them back. The film director, Mark Rydell ("On Golden Pond",
"Cinderella Liberty" et.al.) has my copy of the tape of the documentary
with Dad and Bill. I am pleased he is a fan but can I have my tape back
as it does have sentimental value? Such is life in LA, such is the
Hollywood sense of entitlement. (I feel much better now. Thanks for
letting me share. :-)).
I found the Merv Griffin appearance very sad as I recall him playing "My
Story", which seemed like a prophecy. I think he wrote this after my
Dads passing. Some critics describe his final works as "rushed". I think
he had a lot of music he was trying to get out as he knew his health was
failing. I beleive my Dads premature death sort of escalated things as
they had a bond that transcended traditional brotherhood, as well as
geographical distance.
If the Southeastern event happens again next year, I will keep the board
posted.
Erin
PS: I wish I could find a copy of the first tribute album that features
Richie Beirach (sp?) playing "Blue and Green" and Corea playing "Time
Remembered". Or do I have this backward? I wish it was rereleased. It is
incredibly beautiful.
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Erin Evans at erin...@webtv.net wrote on 11/5/02 9:04 PM:
Steve,
I forgot to mention that a girlfriend of mine told me she saw a bio on
my uncle on the Bravo Arts cable station a while back. She tried to find
it in their programing archives, but to no avail. Also, I recall hearing
a great panel discussion on PBS radio with (I think) Chick Corea, Fred
Hersch, Warren Bernhart and Eddie Gomez. I also really love his segment
on Marian McPartland's "Piano Jazz". She has mentioned it as one of her
personal favorites. I did hear rumors of A BBC documentary being made a
while back. This may have been the piece my friend saw on Bravo Arts. I
also recently noticed a nod to him from guest Tony Bennett on Bravo's
series "Musician" and Diana Krall mentioned him as a primary influence
on Charlie Rose and Larry King. I believe she said that a pivotal point
in her life was when a high school music teacher gave her a copy of
"Live at the Vanguard".
Erin
Steve responded:
George Rivera
>
>
> We bought the Tony Bennett/Bill Evans solo CD which features Bill in a new
> light, as accompaniest, and a damn good one too.
There are two other Evans/Bennett colaborations. Just recently Rhino
released one. Great stuff!
--
Musically,
George Rivera
geo.r...@verizon.net
kevin Roberts
edition of Bill's very early recordings, featuring his classical
compositions, his boogie woogie piano, etc? I have the single CD that
Evan issued called "Rehearsal Tapes" . Does anyone out there have the
multi-CD set, if issued?
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote in message news:<944-3CF...@storefull-2355.public.lawson.webtv.net>...
> Dan,
> Debby is my older sister, She has the original sheet to "Waltz for....".
> I also have a old photo of Uncle Bill with Debby at 3 years old at our
> house in Baton Rouge. It was either during this trip or right after that
> he wrote the song.
>
> Erin
>
>
> Re: new Bill Evans bio
>
> Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Tue, May 21, 2002, 10:04am From:
> d...@danadler.com (Dan?Adler)
Erin Evans
Tapes" and pine for a complete, uninterupted classical recording,
althought I know it does not exist. When he breaks out in Bach and stops
it's like foreplay w/o sex. :-).
I do remember a few private sessions at home on Dads piano but I was too
young at the time to appreciate them.
Erin
Erin Evans
kevin Roberts
only one CD released. Several years ago, his site showed, I believe,
an 8 CD edition. Was it ever completed?
I had seen Bill's last TV appearance on the Merv Griffin show, because
a friend had, by amazing fortune, taped it on broadcast. It is very
moving.
Will we ever begin to see more of the many, many European radio
broadcasts of Bill Evans on CD? Though I understand the Estate's
concern about grey-market bootlegs, why not issue a series of them at
reasonable prices? The music was always phenomenal!! What about the
last performance at Fat Tuesdays in NYC?
Any collectors out there want to communicate? Please write.
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote in message news:<4591-3C...@storefull-2351.public.lawson.webtv.net>...
Dan Adler
> Dan,
> Debby is my older sister, She has the original sheet to "Waltz for....".
> I also have a old photo of Uncle Bill with Debby at 3 years old at our
> house in Baton Rouge. It was either during this trip or right after that
> he wrote the song.
>
Erin,
That's so cool.
BTW, who wrote the lyrics that Tony Bennett sings on the duo album? As
a father myself, I'm always very touched by the lyrics (and the song,
of course).
Thanks for your response,
Erin Evans
The lyrics to "Waltz for Debby" were written by Gene Lees.
There was some joking in the family that a "Waltz for Erin" was needed.
He never got around to it. Some time after he passed, my late friend and
his long time manager, Helen Keane took me out to a NYC jazz club for my
birthday. A new client of hers and a friend of my late Uncle's was
playing that night (a local pianist). The place was packed and this guy
was really good. In the middle of the set he anounces a new composition
entitled "Waltz for Erin". Helen looked at me and said, "Happy Birthday.
You got your Waltz." Needless to say, I bawled throughout the entire
piece so I hardly remember it. The musician (we lost touch, so his name
eludes me) deemed it a cross between an irish jig and the blues. I
didn't know him well. But, oddly enough the reverse was not true!
I am glad "Waltz for Debby" has brought you and your family such joy.
Erin
Erin Evans
Dig around in the message board topics on Evan's site and most of your
questions will be answered. I believe Evan is releasing the "vintage"
tapes as a series, rather than a box set. I think their is also a post
on his European radio sessions that states they are available (bootleg)
in Europe. Apparently, US residents can order through Amazon's European
website (I could be wrong on this). I heard a few cuts from a Paris
radio set through the late Francis Paudras and, yes, it was great.
A poster on this newsgroup has a tape of the final Fat Tuesday gig. As
far as I know, it is not going to be released. But, not because it was a
weak performance, in light of his health. The people I know that
attended it called it "magical". Some Evansophiles described it as his
best live performance and said "you could hear a pin drop' as the
audience was so connected with his artistry that night.
I am not involved with the Estate as that is controlled by Evan and my
Aunt Nenette. I do wish some of his biographers would contact my Mom as
she is a wealth of knowlege on his college years and his period as a
struggling pianist in NY during his 20s. She is full of great memories
of him. He was a voracious letter writer to my Dad and it's interesting
to read them and follow his early progession pre: "Kind of Blue".
Erin
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Thu, May 30, 2002, 4:52am From:
will...@msn.com (kevin Roberts)
Thank You Erin. I went through your links and found that Evan has only
one CD released. Several years ago, his site showed, I believe, an 8 CD
edition. Was it ever completed?
I had seen Bill's last TV appearance on the Merv Griffin show, because a
friend had, by amazing fortune, taped it on broadcast. It is very
moving.
Will we ever begin to see more of the many, many European radio
broadcasts of Bill Evans on CD? Though I understand the Estate's concern
about grey-market bootlegs, why not issue a series of them at reasonable
prices? The music was always phenomenal!! What about the last
performance at Fat Tuesdays in NYC?
Any collectors out there want to communicate? Please write.
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote in message
Richard Thurston
I have read in a number of places over the years that Gene Lees was
working on a Bill Evans biography of his own.
While I haven't read the current bio which began the discussion in
this thread (I leafed through it and it struck me as a bit thin) I
have read 'How My Heart Sings'. While I found it informative about Mr.
Evan's career and about the music it fell down in conveying a sense of
the man himself.
In particular the 'Homecoming' CD came out about the time I read 'How
My Heart...' and the bits of conversation and introductions on the CD
portray a very witty and very bright human being. A person not brought
to life in current biography.
Likewise the wonderful conversation with Marian McPartland on her
Piano Jazz program (included on the Fantasy box set) illuminates a
person in a way the current biographies do not.
Presumably Mr. Lees as a personal friend of Mr. Evans, collaborator
and fellow musician (not to mention an excellent writer) could add
some real insight into the life of one of the greatest musicians I've
ever had the good fortune to see perform in person and hear on
recordings.
Richard Thurston
Erin Evans
I agree with you that the Pettinger book did not capture his persona, as
it was more of a chronological piece on his career (I enjoyed it none
the less). I also agree that one can garner more of his true essense in
interviews. That's why I love the Marian Mcpartland session. They seemed
to be having a great time. His music sometimes stereotypes him as a
brooding. somber character and yes he had a rapid fire wit and was the
quintessential "intellect". He was facinated with Buddism, but also
enjoyed the race track (he even went into a partnership and bought a
race horse. I think the horse got sick and "bought the farm"). I was
fortunate to have dinner with him and Philly Jo Jones in New Orleans
when I was just a teenager. And those 2 together could certainly have a
jolly time!
I guess as with any artist of reknown, the darker aspects of their life
just makes for more interesting reading and, in turn, sells more books.
In that respect, I admire Pettinger for not droning on, in a graphic
fashion, about his addictions. I found Burns segment on Parker 99%
horror stories, 1% musical legacy. Although when Burns listed all the
artist that sucumbed to their addictions, Uncle Bill was excluded! I
guess there was a blessing in his baffling disinterest of my Uncle's
contribution to jazz after all.
I have no idea on the status of the Gene Lees project. I do not know him
well (had dinner with him and Helen Keane many years ago). I do concur
that he is a great writer.
A website with great links is
http://www.njmetro.com/billevans/index1/html. Check out "news" as it is
relatively up-to-date. Also the website mentions an article entitled
"That Sunday" published in The New Yorker, August 2001. I loved this
piece as it did capture his sensitivity and insecurities (yes, as all of
us do, he had his share). Brian Hennesy's site has 12 hours of
interviews (it's on the links). I think the webmasters from these sites
would have a better idea if the Lee's book will actually come to
fruition.
Hope this helps and I am glad you had the opportunity to see him play
live.
Erin
PS: I ordered the new book out if curiosities sake, a trait I like to
think I inherited from the Evans gene pool.
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Fri, May 31, 2002, 4:41pm (PDT+7) From:
ric...@groverthurston.com (Richard Thurston)
BirdAndDizzyMonk
downloaded it but it only gave me half of it. If anyone has a copy or know
where I can get one, would be much appreciated. Thanks a bunch. ~Raynier
Erin Evans
Richard Thurston
Bingo.
And thanks for reminding me of the New Yorker piece. I'd forgotten.
Richard Thurston
AllanFunt
<< While I found it informative about Mr.
Evan's career and about the music it fel >>
and fellow musician (not to mention an excellent writer) >>
nothing is more sickening then the false humility of an poseur who feels the
need to pepper his posts with "mr" to show us how humble he is
ok dickie you can get up off your knees.
Erin Evans
another story as I believe it was released a while ago. If you go to
Amazon, search under album title "Piano Jazz: McPartland/Evans". It is
(of course) out-of-stock. The page did not show any available used and
there is one person waiting. I lent my copy out (what's new) and it's
floating out there somewhere. Maybe it will show up on the "Buy Used"
link.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Erin
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Sat, Jun 1, 2002, 7:11pm (PDT+7) From:
birdandd...@cs.com (BirdAndDizzyMonk)
PjB
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote:
> I guess as with any artist of reknown, the darker aspects of their life
> just makes for more interesting reading and, in turn, sells more books.
hi erin....peter here...we have communicated via private email a time or
two. while i agree with you in substance about pettingers admirable
unwillingness to dwell on your uncles 'dark' side (of which every human
on this planet is in possession), i must say that on the whole i was
disappointed in 'How My Heart Sings'. to me, it reads like a heavily
annotated discography/sessionography....valuable info to be sure, but
nothing that dedicated listeners couldn't ferret out themselves via
primary or secondary sources. we humans have a curious predilection for
hero worship...a good thing, ultimately....and bill evans certainly
qualifies as a hero not only to me, but to countless others. that said,
it is only natural that his fans....for many of whom bill has served as
an introduction to real art in music and to jazz generally....would want
to 'know' the man as intimately as possible. it is a desire peculiar to
humans, and can be seen everywhere, most visibly (and disgustingly) in
the tell-all 'biographies' of many hollywood people. still, in my
opinion, there is room for a detailed, thorough, deep, and respectful
telling of the life of bill evans....and in this regard, the pettinger
bio falls miserably short. for any artist who has contributed and
innovated within his art to the extent that bill evans did, such a
biography is not only appropriate, it is required and necessary for the
ages. your uncle changed the very gestalt of modern jazz pianism. i
would expect to see several or many biographies of him, much as i would
for bartok, charlie parker, or picasso. one can only hope that such
will be the case, but remember that we are dealing with the art world's
bastardised step-child: jazz.
> guess there was a blessing in his baffling disinterest of my Uncle's
> contribution to jazz after all.
kens burns simple nod to your uncle in his documentary displayed
inexcusable insensitivity, ignorance, and delusion. more, and sadly, i
suspect that the politics of race had its leperous hand in the matter as
well, courtesy of certain folks who acted in an advisory capacity to the
program. it is perhaps worth mentioning that ken burns owned precisely
ONE jazz record when he began work on the project. next.
> I have no idea on the status of the Gene Lees project.
rumors about a gene lees evans bio have circulated for years. in an
email to me from around a year ago, lees said that he is not and will
not be writing an evans bio. he cited certain legal problems, the
nature of which i know nothing about. i hope that this can one day
change, and the he will write what will undoubtedly be a definitive work
on this great american artist. in the meantime, he has written an
extremely interesting essay on your uncle in one of his books....'meet
me at jim and andy's'. i think it's out of print, but i was able to
find a copy on the net without too much trouble. highly recommended.
thanks for your continued presence in this group...
peace
peter/
Erin Evans
If you do find it let me know as my old copy was a rough cassette copy.
I would love to have the CD version.I read on one of the BE websites
that it has been issued as an import. Thanks in advance.
Erin
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2002, 11:01am From:
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans)
The interview does exist in a single CD format. Finding a copy is
another story as I believe it was released a while ago. If you go to
Amazon, search under album title "Piano Jazz: McPartland/Evans". It is
(of course) out-of-stock. The page did not show any available used and
there is one person waiting. I lent my copy out (what's new) and it's
floating out there somewhere. Maybe it will show up on the "Buy Used"
link. :-).
Erin Evans
Although I do agree that the Pettinger book is a bit "dry", I view
anything written about him through the lens of a family member. I am
also a devoted fan but not a musician. Some musicians love hearing him
speak on composition, theory and his philosophical thoughts on jazz.
Here, I may get lost (albiet, there are certain music-related quotes I
can learn from and apply to other aspects of my life).
I think the problem in writing a definative bio on him is that he was a
very simple and a very complex man at the same time. Also, his life was
segmented and the few that were by his side from beginning to end are no
longer with us (Helen Keane comes to mind. I was a friend of hers and I
think no one understood him better). Also, how right you are that
publishers know we are not talking "Oprahs Book Club" material here!
As to the darker aspects of his life, there is a good interview with
Nenette on the webpage I gave to Richard. She simply states that he was
"self medicating". There have been scores of recent studies connecting
creativity with mood disorders. Kay Jamison (well known author on
psychiatry) has a great book out called "Touched by Fire" that delves
into this connection, one we have witnessed throughout history with
artist of all genres.
I believe without a doubt that Parker suffered from Manic Depressive
disorder. I think writing on addictions by artists in literature should
be within the context of what science now knows, not an exploit of a few
acts of desperation that were simply symptomatic of an untreated illness
in a less enlightened time. Just my 2 cents.
Now, Peter, I already have a bad case of Sunday "bedhead". Bringing up
Burns will only rise it up to Don King status. I enjoyed Jarretts "slam
dunk" letter to the NY times. It was critized as whiney and not exactly
super literate. That is WHY I loved it. It was basically an emotional
condescending "hate" letter. Sincere, honest, angry and right on the $.
He was not writing a thesis. I received an apology via email from the
Senior editor of Salon.com after he gave the series a rave review and I,
in turn, emailed him Crouch's infamous quote calling Bill Evans "a punk"
and Wyntons comments on Bill's inability to "swing". He refused to
retract hs review but did say if he had known about the producers
biases, he would have written his review differently. Which goes back to
Burns, Pettinger, et.,al., "know thy subject"!
I am glad you cleared up the long standing rumors on an upcoming bio
from Gene Lees. I enjoyed the essay he wrote in "Meet Me at Andy and
Jim's". The legal wrangling just comes with the terrirtory I guess. My
family does not get involved unless Dads name comes up (infrequently). I
guess I do have a bias in that Pettinger ended his book with how my Dads
passing had a profound impact on Bills final year and his eventual
passing. It was a relationship that could only be defined as
"spiritual", love in it's purest form.
Regards,
Erin
Re: new Bill Evans bio
Group: rec.music.bluenote Date: Sun, Jun 2, 2002, 7:07pm (PDT+7) From:
tv...@teleport.com (PjB)
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote:
I guess as with any artist of reknown, the darker aspects of their life
just makes for more interesting reading and, in turn, sells more books
George Rivera
can go to http://www.emusic.com/ and get it for free as a trial membership.
Or you can go to http://www.npr.org/ and go shopping for it...it is also
part of The Complete Fantasy Recordings (Disc 9). Follow this link to
download it for free from e-music http://www.emusic.com/albums/27207 , it's
a legit site...
--
Musically,
George Rivera
geo.r...@verizon.net
"Where's jazz going? I don't know where it's going. Maybe it's going to
hell. You can't make anything go anywhere. It just happens." - Thelonious
Monk
"Erin Evans" <erin...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:12578-3CF...@storefull-2353.public.lawson.webtv.net...
kevin Roberts
The version that Marian's own label distributes is preferred to the
version in the Box Set of the Complete Fantasy Recordings only because
it places index points (track numbers) throughout the hour program,
while the Fantasy version is one 60 minute track. Hard for finding
pieces for listening.
alla...@aol.com (AllanFunt) wrote in message news:<20020602003958...@mb-bg.aol.com>...
PjB
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote:
> I think the problem in writing a definative bio on him is that he was a
> very simple and a very complex man at the same time. Also, his life was
> segmented and the few that were by his side from beginning to end are no
> longer with us .....>
this is a problem only to a degree....after all, how many biographies of
bach or chopin have been written by authors who knew them not at all?
surely gene lees has sufficient knowledge of evan's life to write a
substantial and edifying bio. and to fill in the gaps, there are many
people still around who worked with your uncle....rudy van gelder, paul
motian, eddie gomez, jim hall, &c...who undoubtedly have much first-hand
info to aid in the writing of such a work. my hope and faith are
rock-solid and unwavering that someone will rise to this noble and
essential task.
> I think writing on addictions by artists in literature should
> be within the context of what science now knows, not an exploit of a few
> acts of desperation that were simply symptomatic of an untreated illness
> in a less enlightened time.
i have read jamison's book and enjoyed it a great deal, and we stand in
four-square agreement about exploitive and irresponsible
journalism....there is enough of that to last fifteen genertions. but i
don't think that an evans bio that dealt with how his addiction effected
his life and therefore his music would neccesarily have to be
exploitive....in fact, since we're not talking about a potential
bestseller anyway, i don't think there would be any motive for someone
to write a 'dirty' bio of your uncle...first because there would be no
profit motive, and secondly, because bill evans was a profoundly moral,
gentle, and loving man who would not knowingly harm anyone. there does
not appear to be much dirt to begin with. so to sum, there can be no
denying that addiction was a major factor in bill's life from a fairly
early age, and to the extent that this effected or, more interestingly,
did not impede his producing one of the most substantial and moving
bodies of work in the history of jazz, i believe it to be an issue that
must be examined in any valid biography. personally, i have always
wanted to know how evans *felt* about his addiction....whether he had
horrible regrets about it, or if it in fact provided a more or less
necessary cushion of comfort between himself and a world that for the
sensitive soul is often simply too much to bear.
> Now, Peter, I already have a bad case of Sunday "bedhead". Bringing up
> Burns will only
....and i have monday bedhead, so we're even. let us simply agree that
ken burn's exclusion of your uncle was an aggregious and stupid
decision. like making a documentary on the history of art and saying
that van gogh was a guy who cut his ear off. and there were several
such deficiencies in the burns piece....mingus springs readily to mind.
but when all is said and done, one fact remains; we have the recorded
legacy of bill evans in our homes and hearts, and the knowledge that he
was an upright, fiercely dedicated artist with a loving heart, a
passionate soul, and a brilliant and profound intelligence. he may have
been sad for a good portion of his life, but i believe he is resting
peacefully now, knowing that perhaps through his sadness, was born an
ability to bring deep and lasting joy to all those that take the time to
merely listen well. he will always and forever be an essential part of
the history of american music.
and ken burns can't do a goddamn thing about that.
cheers love,
peter/
Dan Adler
> in turn, emailed him Crouch's infamous quote calling Bill Evans "a punk"
> and Wyntons comments on Bill's inability to "swing".
Erin,
Did Wynton really say that? I never heared of the Crouch quote. What
was the context? If anything, his early picture look geeky :)
Richard Thurston
Nothing false about my humility. Such as they are, my gifts are
extremely modest.
But as for you, back to your studies Mr. Funt.
Keep those grades up or your Mom is bound to cut your allowance.
Richard Thurston
Erin Evans
Here is the infamous quote by Stanley Crouch. My Mom did not know about
the "punk" reference until recently. As someone that knew him well, she
nearly fell over laughing over this one. Call him what you want, but
saying he is a "punk" is akin to calling Osama Bin Laden, Gandhi! A
picture is worth a thousand words. although I personally think the look
is "geeky chic" and rather cool.
Erin
ON KEN BURNS' "JAZZ" -- AND BILL EVANS
A commentary by Jan Stevens
(edited)......
As far as Bill Evans is concerned, readers should note that Stanley
Crouch, Marsalis' admitted mentor, is responsible for serious negative
attacks on the pianist, as noted by jazz writer Eric Nisenson: "I once
overheard [the jazz critic] Stanley Crouch giving a diatribe against
Evans. It was just before a kind of symposium of jazz critics.... Evans,
according to Crouch, was a 'punk' whose playing could scarcely be
considered jazz. He could not swing, according to Crouch, and there was
no blues in his playing." (11) These are simply inaccurate and dirisive
remarks, especially since musicians as diverse as Miles Davis, Ahmad
Jamal, Oscar Peterson, Cannonball Adderley and scores of others clearly
disagreed. That Evans considered the blues a limited harmonic structure
for his own purposes, and only rarely used it as a vehicle for blowing,
is a given. That the often blues-based solos of Monk, Bud Powell, Horace
Silver and others were, as he himself noted, a big factor in Evans' own
pianistic development is also a given. That all of this ought to somehow
diminish his brilliant artistry and widespread influence is just plain
silly and inexcusable. For proof, just open any decent jazz history
book.
11. Does Bill Evans Swing? by Terry Teachout: Commentary Magazine,
January 1998
( see
http://www.britannica.com/bcom/magazine/article/0,5744,328848,00.html
for the full article)
Erin Evans
Oh, and your post makes all the pain somehow worthwhile.
Erin
Erin Evans
Re: new Bill Evans bio
tv...@teleport.com (PjB)
In article <12580-3C...@storefull-2353.public.lawson.webtv.net>,
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote:
EE:I think the problem in writing a definative bio on him is that he was
a very simple and a very complex man at the same time. Also, his life
was segmented and the few that were by his side from beginning to end
are no longer with us .....>
(Peter responds:) this is a problem only to a degree....after all, how
many biographies of bach or chopin have been written by authors who knew
them not at all? surely gene lees has sufficient knowledge of evan's
life to write a substantial and edifying bio. and to fill in the gaps,
there are many people still around who worked with your uncle....rudy
van gelder, paul motian, eddie gomez, jim hall, &c...who undoubtedly
have much first-hand info to aid in the writing of such a work. my hope
and faith are rock-solid and unwavering that someone will rise to this
noble and essential task.>>>
Erin's reply: I don't know what the legal issues are with Gene Lees but
you are right in that he was Bill's friend through out most of his
career. He was also very close with Helen Keane. As I spend alot of time
in SF for work, I would like to eventually get in touch with Orrin
Keepnews and Mundell Lowe. There is also Nat Hentoff. I realize that
some don't particularly care for his writing style, but he was a loyal
friend to Bill and spoke very eloquently and heartfelt at his memorial
service. His closest friend was probably Warren Bernhart (sp?). If an
all encompassing, impassioned and thorough documentation of his life
ever comes to fruition is anyone's guess, I guess. My concern is his
early years (college to Riverside) may get omitted as time moves on.
Keep the faith.
EE: I think writing on addictions by artists in literature should
be within the context of what science now knows, not an exploit of a few
acts of desperation that were simply symptomatic of an untreated illness
in a less enlightened time.>
(Peter responds): i have read jamison's book and enjoyed it a great
deal, and we stand in four-square agreement about exploitive and
irresponsible journalism....there is enough of that to last fifteen
genertions. but i don't think that an evans bio that dealt with how his
addiction effected his life and therefore his music would neccesarily
have to be exploitive....in fact, since we're not talking about a
potential bestseller anyway, i don't think there would be any motive for
someone to write a 'dirty' bio of your uncle...first because there would
be no profit motive, and secondly, because bill evans was a profoundly
moral, gentle, and loving man who would not knowingly harm anyone. there
does not appear to be much dirt to begin with. so to sum, there can be
no denying that addiction was a major factor in bill's life from a
fairly early age, and to the extent that this effected or, more
interestingly, did not impede his producing one of the most substantial
and moving bodies of work in the history of jazz, i believe it to be an
issue that must be examined in any valid biography. personally, i have
always wanted to know how evans *felt* about his addiction....whether he
had horrible regrets about it, or if it in fact provided a more or less
necessary cushion of comfort between himself and a world that for the
sensitive soul is often simply too much to bear.>>
Erin's reply: I certainly don't believe that his addition should be
omitted from any extensive examination of his life as it was a harsh
reality and it did, of course, have an impact. It's just a sensitive
subject for survivors and, as you so well understand, leave the
titilation to "The National Enquirer". I would hope that any thoughtful
piece on him would view this problem through compassionate eyes and true
understanding as it was an illness, not a character flaw. There has been
speculation that he started using as a means of "fitting in" with Miles
band as they gave him quite the hard time when he entered the group
(Miles always defended his choice and I believe there was great mutual
respect between the two of them). Nenette touches on his addiction in an
interview on http://njmetronet.com/billevans/index 1. html (click onto
articles). Depression runs rampant in the Evans gene pool and he could
have been "self medicating". Me and my siblings did receive a lengthy
letter from him on his feelings on the subject. He wrote it the night
before my Dads funeral. Obviously, it will remain private.
OK, here is an example of an insensitive, moronic fan; I went to see
Keith Jarrett perform live. There is a gentlemen seated next to me and
he strikes up a conversation re: the trio. I tell him I have heard
Jarrettt many times and the sidemen played with my Uncle (Peacock,
Dejohnette). Of course he asks who my uncle is. I answer. He then
proceeds to expound incessantly about this one time he saw my uncle
perform and how "strung out" he was in a morbidly graphic way, yada,
yada. Well, how does a niece respond to that? "Wow! Enjoy the show and
thank you for sharing." Or "I bet you remember everytime Micheal Jordan
missed a shot".
EE: Now, Peter, I already have a bad case of Sunday "bedhead". Bringing
up Burns will only>
(Peter also has a bad hairday):....and i have monday bedhead, so we're
even. let us simply agree that ken burn's exclusion of your uncle was an
aggregious and stupid decision. like making a documentary on the history
of art and saying that van gogh was a guy who cut his ear off. and there
were several such deficiencies in the burns piece....mingus springs
readily to mind.>>
Erin's reply: Go to Google and search for Burns "Jazz" reviews if you're
ever in the mood for a little Texas-style justice. 5 minutes on Sarah
Vaghan (sp?). Huh! Bud Powell, Art Tatum?? I feel a beehive coming on.
(Peter beautifully responds): but when all is said and done, one
fact remains; we have the recorded legacy of bill evans in our homes and
hearts, and the knowledge that he was an upright, fiercely dedicated
artist with a loving heart, a passionate soul, and a brilliant and
profound intelligence. he may have been sad for a good portion of his
life, but i believe he is resting peacefully now, knowing that perhaps
through his sadness, was born an ability to bring deep and lasting joy
to all those that take the time to merely listen well. he will always
and forever be an essential part of the history of american music.
and ken burns can't do a goddamn thing about that.>
Erin's reply: Peter, I love you.
cheers love,
peter/
Curtis Plumb
Erin Evans wrote:
> (Peter beautifully responds): [--] He may have been sad for a good
> portion of his life, but i believe he is resting peacefully now, knowing
> that perhaps through his sadness, was born an ability to bring deep
> and lasting joy to all those that take the time to merely listen well.
> cheers love,
> peter/
I can't help but be reminded of his love for Rachmaninov's music.
Peter's words could well apply to the Russian master, as well.
Erin Evans
seems to be simply a more critical version of the Pettinger book. Same
chronolgical analysis of his work but with more of a tone of a personal
critical review of each of his sessions and evolution as an artist.
Also, seems not much research or interviews were conducted by scanning
the acknowlegements. Alot of Bills interviews and quotes are included
but little information and perceptions from those that knew him well. As
Bill was somewhat of an introspect, I concur that there is little
intimacy here. Mostly a musical critique. And, yes, a pair of 250+
reading glasses are needed. Just some observations after a quick scan.
Still a worthwhile addition to the "library", as limited as it may be.
Cheers,
Erin
PjB
erin...@webtv.net (Erin Evans) wrote:
> OK, received new bio "Everything Happens to Me" today. Great pics, but
> seems to be simply a more critical version of the Pettinger book.
well....i may give this one a pass. i do own eric nisenson's 'the
making of kind of blue', and there is an interesting and i think not
entirely accurate chapter called 'the lonely road of bill
evans'....which sounds much more solicitous than it really is.
a quote from nisenson:
'bill evans might have pursued any career he desired. his teachers
believed he could have become a leading classical pianist, but evans
chose jazz and proceeded to adapt himself--both physically and
mentally--to becoming a jazzman deeply immersed in the tradition. he
was knowledgable enough about the jazz life to understand that a career
as a jazzman would be far more difficult than pursuing classical music.
he nevertheless made his choice and then committed every fiber of his
being to realizing it. other musicians have emerged from the classical
tradition and attempted to play jazz, but most of them lacked even a
superficial understanding of the jazz idiom and played a jazz-classical
pastiche that was not satisfactory for either tradition. evans, with
his deep understanding of the nature of jazz expression, was able to
take only what was helpful from his study of classical music and apply
it to his chosen work. he brought fresh vistas to jazz that would
change the music in a number of significant ways; and just as important,
he created some of the most stunningly beautiful, and moving, music of
the past fifty years.'
while the above is indisputable, nisenson goes on to attempt to assess
the reasons for evans addiction, at one point saying that it was the
result of '...evans desperation to connect with the jazz culture.'
this is absurd on its face. evans to a large degree was a leading
exponent of the very culture that nisenson would have us believe he was
trying to gain entrance to. and his early exit from miles band was not
the act of someone with a desperate need to connect with jazz culture,
that band being the very epitome of 'jazz culture' in the late 50s.
i have not read the other KOB book, but i hope it is a little more
substantial than nisensons effort.
all best,
peter/