Photo: Steve Schapiro, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pianists · 1929–1980

Bill Evans

American jazz pianist (1929–1980)

Born: 16 August 1929
Plainfield
Died: 15 September 1980
New York City
Country: United States
Active: 1950–1980
Record labels: Concord Records, Warner Bros. Records, Riverside, Fantasy
Discography: 102 albums

Biography

Bill Evans was a jazz musician who played piano. Bill Evans was born on 16 August 1929 in Plainfield and died on 15 September 1980 in New York City. The music is usually filed under jazz, post-bop and cool jazz. Record labels: Concord Records, Warner Bros. Records, Riverside and Fantasy. The discography here lists 102 albums, from “New Jazz Conceptions” (1957) to “At the BBC: The Complete 1965 London Sets” (2026). Honours include Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994).

William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His extensive use of impressionist harmony, block chords, innovative chord voicings, and trademark rhythmically independent "singing" melodic lines continue to influence jazz pianists today. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, Evans studied classical music at Southeastern Louisiana College and the Mannes School of Music, in New York City, where he majored in composition and received an artist diploma. In 1955, he moved to New York City, where he worked with bandleader and theorist George Russell. In 1958, Evans joined Miles Davis's sextet, which in 1959, then immersed in modal jazz, recorded Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album of all time.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

New Jazz Conceptions 1957

Interplay 1962

Undercurrent 1962

Conversations With Myself 1963

The Gary McFarland Orchestra 1963

Trio 64 1964

Bill Evans Trio With Symphony Orchestra 1965

A Simple Matter of Conviction 1966

Intermodulation 1966

Further Conversations With Myself 1967

At the Montreux Jazz Festival 1968 · Live

Alone 1969

From Left To Right 1970

Montreux II 1970 · Live

The Bill Evans Album 1971

The Tokyo Concert 1973 · Live

Verve - Return Engagement 1974

Alone (Again) 1975

Intuition 1975

Peace Piece and Other Pieces 1975

Montreux III 1976 · Live

On Green Dolphin Street 1977

Quintessence 1977

Affinity 1978

New Conversations 1978

Autumn Leaves = 枯葉 1979

Quiet Now 1981 · Live

Re: Person I Knew 1981 · Live

You Must Believe in Spring 1981

California Here I Come 1982 · Live

Eloquence 1982

The Paris Concert, Edition One 1982 · Live

The Canadian Concert of Bill Evans 1983 · Live

Unknown Session 1983

Also plays on

Albums where Bill Evans is credited as a sideman

1959	Kind of Blue — Miles Davis	piano
1975	The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album — Tony Bennett and Bill Evans	piano
1977	Together Again — Tony Bennett and Bill Evans	piano

Awards

1994 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

Films about Bill Evans

2026Everybody Digs Bill Evans2026 film directed by Grant Gee

Books about Bill Evans

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did Bill Evans play?

Bill Evans is known for playing piano.

When and where was Bill Evans born?

Bill Evans was born 16 August 1929 in Plainfield.

What are Bill Evans's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include New Jazz Conceptions (1957), Interplay (1962), Undercurrent (1962), Conversations With Myself (1963) and The Gary McFarland Orchestra (1963).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.