Bill Evans And The Trio That Changed Trios

Can you believe the most celebrated Bill Evans Trio was only together for 18 months? In this episode, we’re looking at early 60's Bill alongside Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian, and the four albums they recorded together before LaFaro’s tragic death at just 25 years old. From Portrait in Jazz and its cross-over with Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue through Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie – recorded live on the same day in June 1961. We break down their conversational approach to jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves,” geek out over Bill Evans music theory, and explore his distinct voicings and voice leading techniques. Whether you’re a mid-century jazz aficionado or just looking for the perfect “sweater weather trio songs to somberly study to,” we’ve got just the playlist for you.

0:00 - Intro & greetings
0:07 - Bill Evans Trio’s short but legendary run
2:11 - Podcast intro & sponsor shoutout (Open Studio Jazz)
3:09 - Who was in the Bill Evans Trio?
4:08 - Scott LaFaro’s impact & tragic passing
6:12 - Paul Motian’s drumming style & contributions
8:30 - Bill Evans’ early career & Kind of Blue
11:04 - Portrait in Jazz (1959) – The trio’s first album
12:05 - "Autumn Leaves" – Game-changing interplay
14:45 - Explorations (1961) – A deeper trio sound
20:26 - Sunday at the Village Vanguard (1961) – Iconic live album
23:00 - Waltz for Debby – Evans’ most famous tune
31:00 - How Scott LaFaro’s passing changed everything
34:02 - Bill Evans’ influence on modern pianists
38:00 - Jazz trio playlist suggestions
42:00 - The Bill Evans sound & its legacy
44:00 - Final thoughts & outro

🟠Open Studio Members - Check out the Nerd Nook for the episode in The Hang: https://openstudiojazz.com/community/c/as-seen-on/nerd-nook-instant-bill-evans-a5478177-758c-4cdd-8f7f-5701f01a76aa

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