BILL EVANS

BILL EVANS AT THE BBC

Elemental Music

Bill Evans, piano; Chuck Israels, bass; Larry Bunker, drums.

This historic Bill Evans album combines two episodes of a program entitled “Jazz 625” hosted by English trumpet player Humphrey Lyttelton. This concert was taken from a show called “Bill Evans at the BBC” that originally aired in 1965. The studio sat approximately 100 people. The two and a half-hour sets were filmed on March 19^th of that year, during a time when the trio was performing a four-week stint at Ronnie Scotts in London.

Bassist, Chuck Israels recalled in the press package, “We were very free in our interpretations of things because we were comfortable with the material and with each other.”

Isreals was only twenty-nine years old when he recorded this music with the great Bill Evans.  The band had been together for approximately two years. It was the second trio for Evans.  His first one featured bassist, Scott LaFaro, but dissolved when LaFaro tragically died in 1961, the result of an automobile accident in Seneca, New York.  Paul Motian was his former drummer, who worked with Evans from 1959 to 1964.  He left the Evan’s trio to join pianist Paul Bley.

This album features the new Evans Trio, his second one. They were as excellent and stunning as the first.

Back in 1965, I don’t think the engineering was as advanced and precise as it is today.  Consequently, there is some distortion on the piano from recording it ‘too hot.’  Besides that, this is an amazing exhibit of this great pianist and his bandmates at the top of their game.

Their music is familiar.  We have heard it released on other albums and in other situations.  The tapes from this concert have been floating around on youtube.com for years.  But Zev and crew felt it was inspirational and important to remaster it for a fascinating listen.

Israels and Bunker didn’t’ rehearse with Evans before the show.  They simply listened for his song introductions, recognized them, and jumped into the tunes with both feet.  It was a spontaneous concert made up of familiar songs they had been performing with Bill for two years on-the-road. The interesting thing about their representation of “Summertime” was the unique bass line by Isreals, and his ability to sometimes sit on one bass line.  Other times, Evans could work four chords into sometimes one booming, long bass note Isreals played. Bill Evans had a way of reharmonizing songs into an abstract way, but still maintaining the beauty and integrity of the song.  Every standard jazz tune they picked to play became a refurbished arrangement like none other.

You will hear this on “Come Rain or Come Shine” and “My Foolish Heart.”  Israels uses his bow to stroke the introduction of a Bill Evans original “Re: Person I Knew.”  On this tune, the listener will enjoy hearing the tenderness of Bunker’s brushes played during six-measure solos with Israels. When he picks up his sticks to exchange measures with Evans, Bunker’s drum qualities offer gentle flurries of micro-figures that seem to feed Evan’s delivery. Bunker also plays piano and vibraphone, so he’s insightful about melody and rhythm.

Every song presents a ‘hold-your-breath-moment” where I felt like I was waiting for Bill Evans to give me permission to exhale. Mostly I just sat transfixed, awaiting the song’s ending to both internally applaud and let my breath blow out of my body in a stream of pleasure.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.

Get your Limited Edition Signed and Numbered (Only 50 copies Available)  Free Shipping Included