kee FONT Board of Advisors: Warren Bernhardt Chuck Israels Pater H. Larsen Ron Nethercutt Jack Reilly May/June, 1991 News WE Instead of a full-fledged review of the wine dedicated 1o Bill Evans and mentioned in the last issue, I will offer just 2 few cemments here. The wine is great. Although I'm not a ‘counoisseur of fine wine, Ido en- joy 2 good red wine with dinner. "The Robert Picota Gamay Beaujo- lis is mediumn-bodied, nox dy, slightly fruity, and, itleavesa ‘reat after taste. Tenjoyed it with a filet mignon (cooked rare), ao alien seled and a baked potsto. It also went well with the Brie ‘cheese Ihad for dessert. The wine is almost fruity enough to stand as adescert wine, but not quite Thope that some of the artists among LFE subscribers will offer Mr. Pecota 2 graphic of Bill Evans for the label of future vintages dedicated to him. WE Daring my short siay in Eng- and, 1 had planned to write an article about the jazz scene over there. Instead of listening to ‘uch jazz, Ispent most of my time enjoying the countrysice, the City of Loudon, and other sights. So, using the notes that took, Tl encapsulate my impressions here. In spite of a prececupation with tae swing era and ‘bebop, the British jazz scene is as heelthy as itis anywhere. One finds a predominance of traditiora’ bands playing, at their most advenmuresome, a kind of restrained bebop. Just as in the United States, there is a shortage of decent pisnos in the hotel lounges and pubs wich feature live jazz. Each ‘evening he performs, the pianist has to bring in an electric keyboard. Corrections . Letters : In this Issue: Article, Serendipity Strikes Again. . . . Ariicle, Bill Evans Butt Extreordinaire . Interview with Earl Zindars Video Review, Jack Reilly Review, Bill Evans Solo Sessions | . . Review, Rey Drumond-Bill Mays. . » Review, Nethan Berg . . « Review, Jezz Workshop Series Vol.4 14 Transcription, RE: Person! Knew, Pt.) 18 PN Te a eC) per TTT RC) Rie aot he Bill Evans Pe eco Crea Coe ea Vol. 2, Number 5, Price $4.00 While visiting the city of Norwich in Norfolk, I was fortunate to find jaz2 band with well-known players. They ‘were performing ait a special mesday night jazz presentation ata pub called the Red Lion Inn. There Thcard and sat-in with 1 group led by saxophonist Allan Stewart. It featured drum- ‘mer Jack Parnell (of BBC fame), bassist Mike Harts, pani (and saxophonist) Dave Hardcastle, vibist (and pianist) Mike Capocei. The tunes I played were “Tl Remember April, “Autumn Leaves,” “Desifi nado," and “Days of Wine and Roses.” The experieace was jus! asit would have been in the U.S. Most of the audience was not listening. Appurcatly they ouly wore ateading because i sidered the in thing to do. The pab and adjoining restaurant ‘were full tothe point of standing room only. About twenty-five peroentof the pub audience were ‘under age 25, The tunes were the traditional jam session fare, and the playing was predicable. In spite of this, most ofthe younger crowd had the musical aware- ness to sense that this music was better than wiat theit poers wore listening to. If they dida’t understand it, at least they were polite enough to listen. I've played in similar elubbands inthe U.S.A. where & group of youthful regulars would come in and insist that the juke box be turned on and that the jazz band take an indefinite break. The British youth seemed more tolerant of other types of music and less rude than their American counterparts T must mention one player who I though: was more elogucnt than. tbe rest in his soloing facility, atleast on this particular evening, At this pub on friday and ssturday eve- rings, Mike Capocei normally plays piano (it must be anLetter from Evans, May/June, 1991 clectric one), most of the time solo, aa is joined on occasion by bassist Mike Harris. On tuesday evenings, he drags out the vibes to join the quintet. Mike was much more inventive in his solos than the rest ofthe band. His ideas were fresh, and were developed in highly sophisticated fashion. [regret that T was iunible to stay in the area to beer him play plano. It urns out (uturlly) a Mike was the Bill Evans's fanatic in the grou; he eagerly browsed through the issue of LFE that I brought along. just found out that record producer, Albert Maze, owner cof Dissovery Records, has suffered a severe heart attack, LFE wishes him a speedy and thorough recovery. In the Au- gustSeptcmber 1990 issuc of CODA, there is an article on ‘Albert's long career of producing fine jazz recordings. Albert tas fumished LFE with many new CD's for review. Few have been within the scope of this publication, bu all were quality recondings. One that iramediately comes to mind is Jay Tho- tas with the Cedar Walton Trio — Easy Does it, lti-in- strumentalist Jay Thomas's initial outing (I believe) on Discovery (DSCD-956). Jay plays in # relaxed, lyrical syle that immediately grabs the listener's atteution and won't et 0. This recording featuros some great unes, including Leoa- ard Bernstein's “Some Other Time,” Cole Porter's “Dream Dancing,” and Bronislav Kaper's seldom played “Gori” (pelled Branislaus Cappor in the liner notes). Kaper was not Very prolific song writer, bat the three songs L know are real gems—the above mentioned “Gloria,” “Green Dolphin Street,” and “Invitation.” Check out Jay Thomas, you won't te disappointed. For a free catalogue, write Discovery Re- ‘cords, P.O. Box 48081, Los Angeles, CA 90048 I Band leader Bill Scott, who roomed with Bill Evans and played bass with him in the Fifth Army Band at Ft. Sheriden ‘ear Chicago, las been named Musician of the Year for 1991 by the Chicago Federation of Musicians. Bill has provided me ‘with several entertaining stories about his days with Bill Evaus. (See Vol.l, Ne. 4, Mar/Apt. Also this Bill Scott should rot be confused withthe Bill Seott who wrote the letter to the editor in the January/February 1991 issue.) Hl FE contibuting weit: Peggy Stern will bea guest on Marian MePartland’s Piano Jazz in the ist week of May on National Public Radio affiliate stations. (My local NPR afSli- atc station, WMFE-FM, Orlando, Florida, does not carry the show and should be treated accordingly. They also have 2e70 Jazz programming. For this, they should lose iheir affiliation and the public radio designation. Write your congressman.) ‘Also sebeduled on the show in May is LFE contributing writer ‘Andy LaVeme. Check your local listings. I Thc Intemational Association of Jazz Educators is con- ducting « study on whether to support a proposed jazz oriented retirement community. It sounds like a great idea to me. The proposed sts is in Southcra California. Forthose who missed the LA.LE. Conference in Washing- ton, DC, last January, cassette tapes of many sessions are Page? LETTER FROM EVANS is published sic times a year at an annua! subscristion rete of $1.00 (bulkrate) in ‘he continental United States;: $25.00 first. class; $25.00 (third clacs) in Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and ‘all other countries is $35 funds in US. dollars). Previous iseuos $6.00 each ($8.00 foreign). The opinions excressed herein afe not necessardy those of the Publisher/=: do, or the Board of Advisors. Letters to will bo Sopod from firne that have genuine interest to the Bil Evans enthusiast. A cate “Non-commercial of Bil Evans materials may presert noticas for possible inclusion in LE, The final deterrination of suitability willbe mado at te ole dieeretion of Publisher/Editor; The cover logo, based cn a phot a ike ced Warren Bernard Chuch Israels ‘Ron Nethercutt Peter H. Larson. ‘Jack Feilly Staff: Win Hinkle, Publisher/editor Ellen Hinkle, Editorial Assistant Beisy Hinkle, Production Assistant Chris Hinkle, Production Assistant “Laurie VanBrunt, Copy Editor Letier from Evans Win Hinkle, Editor ‘2712 Cady Way Winter Park, FL. 32792-4856 erro y Voice Phone (407) 678-7113 FAX (407) 676-7049 available for a nominal cost. Write, call or fax for further deuils, LASE,, P.O, Box 724, Manhattan, KS 66502 USA, phone (913) 776-8744 ox fax (013) 776-6190. DISCLAIMER The editor/publisher, writers, and members ‘of the Board of Advisors of LETTER FROM EVANS have never knowingly endorsed or ‘promoted any illegal audio or video recordings.Letter from Evans, May/June, 1991 WE Atieast one LFE subscriber has communicated with me on the Prodigy computer network. Iam no longer a member of that network. Its focus was more consumer oriented than I needed. Tamnow a metaber ofthe Genie Information Service, a subsidiary of General Fleetrc. E-mail (lectronic mail) cat be left for me there, under the name W.HINKLEA. I also regulatiy visit the PostScript (PSRT) snd Design to Print (TERT) round tables on that network. HH The Smithsonian Institution bas announced several con- certs in conjunction withthe Jazz Masterworks Editions to be released in late 1992. The first edition will include works by Dulce Ellington, Count Basic and Fletcher Henderson. con _gressional appropriation of $242,000 has made possible a 17 ‘member resident jazz orchestra. Co-Directors David Baker and Gunther Schuller will conduct several concerts in May through August, 1991 atthe Carmichael and Hirshhorn atdi- toriums ofthe Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. all (202) 357-2700 for details. WE LFE has commumicated with Laurie Verchomia, Bill Evans's friend and companion for tie last year and half of his life. Tve leamed many things about Bll that dida'tInow. ne is thatthe acconnt of his death in Gene Lees’s book, Meet ‘Me at Jim and Andy's is not accurate. Iwill dlaborate in LFE when Ifeel the circumstances are appropriate. Laurie gave me several versions of the tune “Laurie” showing the various ‘compositional stages the une underwent. My long rangezodo listincludes a writing project on these versions and the changes they underwent ld like to. apologize to all subscribers not in the coatinen- tal US. for sending this issue and the previous one, together in one package. Postal rates have goue upand Tmust rise ny subscription raics. Tm tying to postpone this as long as possible 50 I took advantage of an opportunity to save some roney ty mailing two issues togetber. The non-U'S. postage is one of my biggest expexses. Corrections Se AER ‘The interview with BI Evans that appeared in die Jam axy/February 1991 issue by Ted O'Reilly, broadcast by CIRT- FA of Torooto, had been previously transcribed and printed in Coda, the Canadian jazz magazine, issuc 200, Febeuary 1985, This was brought to my attention after 1 had printed (eprinted it. LFE offers an apology to Coda and its edito, John Norris. This kind loner tome, John Nortis also pointed outa few cther spelling errors in the interview with Enrico Pieranunzi in the November/December 1999 issue of LFE—Lennic Tris tao, Marty Morell (aow living in Toronto). As the more ctitical readers of LFE probably have noticed, spelling is not my suongest auribute. Ff any of you are aware of 0 jazz dictionary on dial for computer-ser, please Jet me know about it ‘Some coples ofthe March/April 1991 issue (the previous one) ‘may have been missing the right edge of page 17. Some may ‘be missing @ no%e or 1Wo of messure number 49 of the tam scription of “Re Person I Knew.” In the midi of the page, the last three notes in the treble clef arc eighth note triplets, E natural, F and G. Letters SERRE TET TENT ‘Dear Mr. Hinkle: Tam enclosing the subscription fom and check for $18.00 for your Leter from Evans. have been a Bill Evans's devotee since 1962, whea we ‘were visiting in New Jersey and went o the Hickory House in N-Y.C. A group we bad not heard of was playing there—the Bill Evans Trio, and Thave loved Bill Evans's beautiful musi since that time. We have many albums and cassettes that he recorded. During another visit to New York City, we heard Bill Evans and the trio at Whiskey-A-Go-Qo, and I talked to him uring one of the breaks. .he was 0 friendly, soft-spoken man, “Atotber times, we heard him play when he came to Cleveland ‘and Dayton, Ohio. ‘When I listen to Bill Evans's music, the voicings in the ballads have « sadness, but ate quite beautiful; Imever tre of listening wo his music over and ever and over. Tam ajazz pianist, and I played at cne of the Women’s Jazz Festivals in Kansas City. ‘We are pleased to read Alan Broadbent's rame in your publicatioa, as we have fond memories of an evening when he visited our home efter performing in Mansficld with « big ‘band..smany years ago. ‘We look forward to furure icsnes of your Leer from vars. Sincerely, Mrs, Wemer W. Beugger (Doris L.) Mansfield, Otio Dear Mr. Hinkle: [just spent about abalf hour skimming through the tres fssues ‘you seat me, and Iam very excited by the information | am ‘nding. I remember the fist time I heard Bill Evans's music 1 was seventeen years old and very involved in rock and roll. ‘A Giicnd (and great pianist in Miami named Jefirey Laibsoa) Played me Kind of Bue, and my life was never the sane sficr that I did meet Bill once in Boston in 1977. He was performing Page