Bill Evans

Bill Evans (1929–1980) was one of the most important jazz pianists, introducing a lyrical, introspective, and classically-inspired aesthetic, with clear influences from Debussy and Ravel. He brought a new dimension to the piano trio, giving an equal role to the bassist and drummer, and influenced generations of musicians such as Hancock, Jarrett, Corea, and Mehldau. The Bill Evans Trio with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian is considered paramount in the history of jazz. In 1958, he became a member of the Miles Davis Sextet, making a decisive contribution to the masterful Kind of Blue (1959). With the Bill Evans Trio, he recorded landmark albums in the early 1960s, such as Portrait in Jazz, At the Village Vanguard, and Waltz for Debby. After LaFaro's death, he formed important collaborations with bassist Eddie Gomez and others. Despite his personal struggles with addiction that led to his premature death, he left behind a rich body of work that influenced the course of modern jazz.