Bill Evans & WDR Big Band Köln: New Stuff live at Stadtgarten Köln 2011

Bill Evans – ts, ss
Etienne Mbappe – b
Wolfgang Haffner – dr
Michael Abene - ld, arr
WDR Big Band Köln
recorded live February 16 and 17, 2011, Stadtgarten Köln

1. Bop Stop
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Andy Haderer, tp
2. Island Green
Soloists: Marshall Gilkes, tb; Wolfgang Haffner, dr; Bill Evans, ss
3. Cascade Waterfalls
Soloists: Bill Evans, ss
4. Workin’ The Line
Soloists: Frank Chastenier, p; Bill Evans, ts
5. The Silk Road
Soloists: Etienne Mbappe, b
6. The East End
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Johan Hörlen, as; Etienne Mbappe, b
7. Big Little Man
Soloists: Bill Evans, ss; Ludwig Nuss, tb
8. On The Fly
Soloists: Bill Evans, ss; John Marshall, tp; Frank Chastenier, fender rhodes
9. Introduction of the Band
10. TJ Follies
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Karolina Strassmayer, fl; Wolfgang Haffner, dr
11. Whalebone Stamp
Soloists: Bill Evans, Paul Heller, ts; Frank Chastenier, org

After the success of their first collaboration "Van´s Joint", saxophonist Bill Evans,  arranger Michael Abene and the WDR Big Band rejoined for another project, consequently called "New Stuff". Again a great combination of catchy Evans originals with complex but very much listenable Abene arrangemnts, played by a very tight and creative Big Band propelled by the great rhythm section of Etienne M´Bappe and Wolfgang Haffner.

Bill Evans Soulgrass with special guest Sam Bush live at 41st German Jazzfestival Frankfurt 2010

Bill Evans | ts, ss
Ryan Cavanaugh | banjo
Mitch Stein | g
Mark Egan | el-b
Josh Dion | dr, voc
Sam Bush | mandolin, voc

recorded live at HR Sendesaal Frankfurt, October 30, 2010

1. Celtic Junction
2. Sweet Tea
3. Introduction of the Band
4. Snap Dragon
5. Georgia
6. Katy Hill (Bill Monroe)
7. Same Ol´ River (Sam Bush)
8. Ode To The Working Man
9. Feel (Josh Dion)

Throughout his 20-year career as a solo artist, multi Grammy nominated saxophonist Bill Evans has explored a variety of musical settings that go well beyond the confines of traditional jazz, including hip-hop, fusion, reggae, Brazilian and slamming funk. Evans steps into more adventurous territory on Soulgrass, blending jazz, funk and roots music into a seamless and wholly unique hybrid of quintessentially American styles.  His daring collaboration with Bela Fleck and Nashville session aces Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan and Jerry Douglas on "Soulgrass" is Bill's latest exploration in an ever-evolving career. More currently, Bill finished his new and latest CD titled "The other side of something" (released on Intuition) featuring, once again, Bela Fleck, Victor Wooten, Sam Bush, Pat Bergeson, plus the addition of musicians like Dennis Chambers, Richard Bona, and his current working band of Chris Howes, Joel Rosenblatt and Ryan cavanaugh, etc. "The other side of Something" is the next step after "Soulgrass".

CTI All Stars live in Montreux 2009

Randy Brecker, trumpet
Hubert Laws, flute
Bill Evans, tenor sax
Todd Bashore, alto sax
Russell Malone, guitar
Niels Lan Doky, piano
Mark Egan, bass
Jeff Tain Watts, dums
Airto Moreira, percussion
Flora Purim, vocals

recorded live at Miles Davis Hall, Montreux, July 7, 2009

1. Misturada (A.Moreira)
2. Mr. Clean (W.Irvine)
3. Airto Moreira Solo (A.Moreira)

CTI stands for Creed Taylor Incorporated, better known as CTI Records, the famous jazz/fusion record label. Creed Taylor will probably not be known to everyone. However, since the Grammy success of Getz/Gilberto in 1963, Creed Taylor has been one of the few people whose songs many people can hear in their dreams. Not surprising, given his great accomplishments as the producer for John Coltrane, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard and many others. This hints at great musical quality that under the direction of Creed Taylor himself finds its expression in the CTI All Star Band. He constantly reforms the band for recordings and the performance of special material written specifically for his line-up. Only the world's best are considered and that delivers exceptional combinations.

WDR Big Band feat. Bill Evans & Dave Weckl live at 30th Leverkusener Jazztage 2009

Bill Evans, Soprano and Tenor Saxophones
Dave Weckl, Drums
Mark Egan, E-Bass
WDR Big Band Köln
Michael Abene, conductor and arranger

recorded live at Forum/ Leverkusen during 30th Leverkusener Jazztage November 2009

1. Small Town Jack
Soloists: Paul Shigihara, gt, Bill Evans, ss
2. Soulbop
Soloists: Ludwig Nuss, tb, Bill Evans, ss
3. Let´s Pretend
Soloists: Frank Chastenier, p; Bill Evans, ss
4. Van´s Joint
Soloists: Heiner Wiberny, as; Frank Chastenier, hammond B3; Bill Evans, ts
5. Sweet Tea
Soloists: Paul Heller, ts; Dave Weckl, dr; Bill Evans, ss
6. Soulgrass
Soloists: Bill Evans, ts; Paul Shigihara, gt; Dave Weckl, dr
7. Introduction of the band by Michael Abene
8. Rattletrap
Soloists: Mark Egan, b; Bill Evans, ts; Paul Heller, ts; Olivier Peters, EWI; Paul Shigihara, gt; Dave Weckl, dr

Throughout his celebrated career, Bill Evans has explored a wide range of musical idioms, from straight ahead jazz to hip-hop, fusion, funk, soul, pop and bluegrass.
But on Vans Joint, he treads into some exciting new territory for the first time.
This triumphant collaboration between the veteran saxophonist-composer-bandleader and the 20-piece WDR Big Band Cologne is a match made in heaven. Recorded live in concert in Germany, this powerhouse offering features Evans with the dream rhythm tandem of electric bassist Mark Egan and drummer extraordinaire Dave Weckl fueling the well-oiled machine that is the WDR Big Band, under the direction of conductor-arranger Michael Abene. The results are exhilarating and even surprising to the saxophonist himself. “For me, to hear my charts with a big band just blew my mind,” says Evans. “Michael did such as great job. It was magical the way he enriched the songs, how he created colors and new harmonies in different sections and just took the music one step further. So it was a real trip to be involved in this project, and a lot of fun too.” Together they released the live album "Van´s Joint" on BHM Music in February 2009.

Bill Evans Trio: Very Early - Hamburg Souvenirs 1972

Bill Evans, piano
Eddie Gomez, bass
Marty Morell, drums

recorded at NDR Studios, Hamburg, February 14, 1972

1. Very Early (Evans)
2. Twelve Tone Tune (Evans)
3. Alfie (Bacharach)
4. Waltz for Debbie (Evans)
5. Midnight Mood (Zawinul)

Bill Evans Group live at Leverkusener Jazztage 2000

Bill Evans, tenor & soprano saxophone
Les McCann, vocals & piano ( tracks 4,5,6)
Dean Brown, guitar
Ricky Peterson, Hammond B3, keyboards
Tim Lefebvre, basses
Juju House, drums

recorded live at Leverkusener Jazztage, October 19, 2000

Tracklist
1. Cool Eddie
2. Older Days
3. Sneaky
4. Your Soul Looks Good To Me
5. Compared To What
6. Shuffle
7. Big Mama

Check out the album "Soul Insider" by Bill Evans