Bill Evans Paris Concert Edition 2 CD

Recorded live at L'Espace Cardin, Paris, France on November 26, 1979. Originally released on Elektra Musician (60164). Includes liner notes by Bill Evans, Joe LaBarbera, Marc Johnson, Helen Keane and Bruce Lundvall.

Recorded live at L'Espace Cardin, Paris, France on November 26, 1979. Originally released on Elektra Musician (60311). Includes liner notes by Burt Korall and Bill Evans.

The two LPs recorded at this Paris concert are the last examples of Bill Evans' playing that have been released to date, although there are other concert performances from 1980 that are expected to come out eventually. With bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe La Barbera, Evans had one of the strongest trios of his career, as can be heard on such pieces as "My Romance," "I Loves You Porgy," and "Beautiful Love." The close communication between the players is reminiscent of Evans' 1961 unit with Scott LaFaro and Paul Motian. ~ Scott Yanow

Bill Evans's death in 1980 ended the career of the most influential (along with McCoy Tyner) acoustic pianist in jazz of the past 20 years. This second of two LPs features Evans, bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Paul Motian closely interacting on four of the pianist's originals, Gary McFarland's "Gary's Theme" and Miles Davis's "Nardis." The music is sensitive and subtly exciting. Until some later live sessions from 1980 are released, this can be considered Bill Evans's final recording and serves as evidence that, rather than declining, he was showing a renewed vitality and enthusiasm in his last year. ~ Scott Yanow

Digitally remastered by Kurt Lundvall.

Reissue producer: Helen Keane.

Personnel: Bill Evans (piano); Joe La Barbera (drums).

Recording information: Paris, France (11/26/1979); Radio France, L'Espace Cardin, Paris, France (11/26/1979).

Photographer: Alex Dutilh.

Personnel: Bill Evans (piano); Marc Johnson (bass); Joe LaBarbera (drums).

Producer: Yves Abiteboul.