Piano Player (album)

Piano Player
Compilation album by Bill Evans
Released	1998
Recorded	June 10, 1956, September 9, 1958, February 6 & 8, 1962, November 23 & 24, 1970 & May 17, 1971
Genre	Jazz
Length	72:10
Label	Columbia
Producer	Orrin Keepnews
Bill Evans chronology
Half Moon Bay (1998)Half Moon Bay1998 Piano Player (1998) Homecoming (1999)Homecoming1999

Piano Player is a compilation of recordings featuring jazz pianist Bill Evans released in 1998 on the Columbia label.

Reception

The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4 stars stating "The pianist's fans will definitely want this consistently enjoyable CD".^[1] The All About Jazz review by Douglas Payne states "As a whole, Piano Player jumps from time periods and groupings more erratically than a typical Bill Evans listener would expect or appreciate. But eight of these songs offer required - and rewarding — listening for fans of the pianist. The remaining three selections are not readily available elsewhere either. Therefore, for now, Piano Player makes for essential Bill Evans listening"^[2]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]

Track listing

All compositions by Bill Evans unless otherwise noted

1. "All About Rosie (3rd Section)" (George Russell) - 5:18
2. "My Funny Valentine" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) - 10:20
3. "Vierd Blues" (Miles Davis) - 5:58
4. "Bésame Mucho" (Consuelo Velázquez) - 6:53
5. "Mornin' Glory" (Bobbie Gentry) - 6:43
6. "Django" (John Lewis) - 8:08
7. "Waltz for Debby" - 5:13
8. "T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune)" - 3:37
9. "Comrade Conrad" - 6:40
10. "Gone with the Wind" (Allie Wrubel, Herb Magidson) - 6:42
11. "Fun Ride" - 6:37

• Recorded in New York City on June 10, 1956 (track 1), September 9, 1958 (track 2), February 6 & 8, 1962 (tracks 3 & 4), November 23, 1970 (track 5), November 24, 1970 (tracks 6-10) and May 17, 1971 (track 11)

Personnel

• Bill Evans - piano, electric piano
• Miles Davis (track 2), Art Farmer (track 1), Louis Mucci (track 1) - trumpet
• Jimmy Knepper - trombone (track 1)
• Jim Buffington - French horn (track 1)
• Robert Di Domenica - flute (track 1)
• John La Porta - alto saxophone (track 1)
• Hal McKusick - tenor saxophone (track 1)
• Manuel Zegler - bassoon (track 1)
• Teddy Charles - vibes (track 1)
• Margaret Rose - harp (track 1)
• Barry Galbraith - guitar (track 1)
• Joe Benjamin (track 1), Paul Chambers (track 2), Eddie Gómez (tracks 5-11), Herbie Lewis (tracks 3 & 4) – bass
• Jimmy Cobb (track 2), Marty Morell (track 11), Walter Perkins (tracks 3 & 4), Teddy Summer (track 1) – drums
• George Russell - arranger, conductor (track 1)
• Dave Pike - vibraphone (tracks 3 & 4)

References