JIM WITZEL QUARTET

VERY EARLY REMEMBERING BILL EVANS

Joplin & Sweeney Music Company

Jim Witzel, guitar; Phil Aaron, piano; Dan Feiszli, bass; Jason Lewis, drums.

It’s a task for musicians to pay tribute to the very gifted, iconic, pianist Bill Evans. However, guitarist Jim Witzel wanted to do it.  Evans is probably one of the most influential jazz pianists to come along in the last 100 years. Evans gained great popularity after recording with Miles Davis on the “Kind of Blue” album.  In 1961 he released “Sunday at the Village Vanguard.”  Many think that was a peak moment in his career.  Evans passed away in 1980 but left a wealth of music behind to remind us of his genius.

Jim Witzel opens this album with his guitar playing “Beautiful Love” as a rubato solo.  He is soon joined by his rhythm trio, and the quartet swings!  This tune was pulled from the Bill Evans album “Explorations” released in 1961.  After Witzel’s guitar introduction to this Victor Young masterpiece, pianist Phil Aaron offers his own solo excursion.  Then comes Dan Feiszli on bass, trading eights (instead of four bars) with drummer Jason Lewis. Now we have met all the players and heard their individual and creative approach to the Evan’s legacy. The concert begins!

Next comes “How My heart Sings” the title track from the Bill Evans 1962 release. This tune features metric modulation, moving from three-four waltz time to four-four and back to three-four. Dan Feiszli is given the spotlight to display his chops on the bass, but it’s Witzel’s guitar solo that is the star of the show.

There’s one song that Evans recorded with Eddie Gomez as a duo that many guitar players have been drawn to and recorded.  “Falling Grace” has been recorded by Pat Metheny, Jim Hall and John Scofield.  Now we can add Jim Witzel’s name to the list. He does a great job of refreshing the arrangement

The Evans “Sunday at the Village Vanguard” LP. It was re-arranged by Witzel in a wonderful way.  They keep the driving, up-tempo pace and energy of the tune. Another favorite was the Miles Davis composition, “Nardis.”

They play two of Bill Evans’ original tunes, “Very Early” (that is the title of this album) and “Peri’s Scope” that Evan’s wrote for his girlfriend Peri.  It’s a happy-go-lucky tune that meanders along at a slow swing pace. I thought Phil Aaron’s approach and improvised solo was impressive.

Witzel’s arrangements of songs Bill Evans played, and others he composed, are well-written.  The quartet was inspired by the pianist’s legendary and historic musicality. They did a heartfelt tribute to this jazz icon and a splendid representation of their own individual talents.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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