Description: Universally acknowledged as one of the most influential of all jazz pianists, Bill Evans (1929-1980) brought, an unequaled finesse of touch to the keyboard. Classically trained on flute, violin, and piano, Evans chose jazz -- specifically, the jazz piano trio-as the medium for his life's achievement. Peter Pettinger's enthralling biography tells Evans's story for the first time. Based on extensive research and conversations with many of Evans's friends and colleagues, as well as Pettinger's firsthand memories of performances at the Village Vanguard in New York and Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London, it describes the life, the musicmaking, and the legacy of this major American jazz artist.

Bill Evans took to the road early and traveled to clubs and concert halls throughout his life. Though haunted by tragedy and drag abuse, Evans created successful trios, formed important associations with such other jazz artists as the composer George Russell and the trumpeter Miles Davis, and enjoyed long-standing commercial success, evidenced by a series of Grammy awards and nominations. Pettinger assesses Evans's recordings and analyzes his expressive technique, tone production, approach to group playing, and compositional methods. With a full discography and dozens of photographs, the volume will be welcomed by jazz fans and general readers alike.

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