Classic Jazz Gems

Arguably the most influential pianist in jazz of the past 40 years, Bill Evans' chord voicings, interplay with the members of his trio and his basic sound have been emulated by a countless number of pianists through the years.

After being a sideman with several groups, including the Miles Davis Sextet of 1958 (where he played alongside Davis, John Coltrane and Cannonball Adderley), he became famous for his work with the Bill Evans Trio. First with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian and later with other sensitive and subtle sidemen, Evans set the standard for piano trios. Even long after his 1980 death, Bill Evans casts a giant shadow on the jazz world.

Affinity, which was recorded in 1978, is an unusual Bill Evans session. Along with the regular members of his trio (bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Eliot Zigmund), Evans is joined by the great harmonica soloist Toots Thielemans and Larry Schneider, who plays tenor, soprano and alto flute. This session is considered by Thielemans to be one of the highpoints of his career. His harmonica works very well with the other musicians on such pieces as Paul Simon's "I Do it for Your Love," "Days of Wine and Roses," "Blue and Green" and "Body and Soul."

Highly recommended.

—Scott Yanow