Treasures - Solo, Trio & Orchestral Records from Denmark (1965-69)

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Liner Notes, Interviewer, Research [Photo Research], Producer [Produced For Release By] – Zev Feldman Elemental Music is proud to announce an exciting and diverse new collection of previously unreleased recordings by jazz piano master Bill Evans, Treasures: Solo, Trio and Orchestra Recordings from Denmark (1965-1969), a limited 180-gram three-LP set mastered by Bernie Grundman, as a Record Store Day exclusive on April 22. The album will be issued as a two-CD set and digitally on April 28. In the Deluxe Set are included introduction by Evans’ music guru, The Wall Street Journal writer Marc Myers, new interviews with trio members Eddie Gomez and Marty Morell who worked with Evans from 1968 to 1974, Danish musicians Palle Mikkelborg and Alex Riel, and producer Peter Larsen and pianists Matthew Shipp and Ran Blake.

Bass and drum solos don’t distract but ass energy to Evan’s precious as he dissects and reassembles the Disney/Larry Morey and Frank Churchill classic. Evans takes the melody on ‘Who Can I Turn To’ and dives in. Evans seems not to distinguish between notes and chords; they are all a means of expression and reflections of each other.

Soul Jazz Records Presents – Gipsy Rhumba: The Original Rhythm of Gipsy Rhumba in Spain 1965 – 1974 : LP Myers says of this fertile period, "On this set, we hear Evans in 1965, 1966, and 1969 in different locations in Denmark, with varied ensembles that feature a range of superb sidemen. The joy of this set is that it offers us every type of performance configuration during an ambitious and poetic phase of his career, ranging from solo and trio recordings to orchestral interpretations. All document Evans's steady ascent as a premier global jazz figure."

Also great photos and booklet (physical in my case - I'm happy w. this) w. informations and and a nice 3-fold-cover. Treasures: Solo, Trio and Orchestra Recordings from Denmark (1965-1969) is a set of never-before-released recordings of jazz piano icon Bill Evans, taped with excellent sound quality either live or in Danish TV and Radio studios in the mid-to-late 1960s. Treasures is truly a ’holy grail’ discovery culled from the private collection of Danish jazz musician Ole Matthiessen and being released for the very first time as a deluxe 2-CD set (a limited edition 180-gram 3-LP set)The beautifully designed triple gatefold LP set showcases previously unpublished photos by Jan Persson from Evans’ Danish tours, as well as insightful liner notes by acclaimed author, journalist and Evans scholar, Marc Myers, plus interviews and statements from Danish drummer Alex Riel, music journalist, Danish producer and Evans discographer Peter Larsen, Palle Mikkelborg, Evans’ longtime trio mates – bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell, and pianists Ran Blake and Matthew Shipp. Various/ Lee Hazlewood – Fools, Rebel Rousers & Girls on Death Row – The Lee Hazlewood Story 1955-1962 : LP The song list on this release is heavy with Evans’ standards (“Waltz for Debby,”“Come Rain or Come Shine,”“Nardis,”“My Funny Valentine”), but as always with Bill, there are embellishments, and solos from his trio that continue to fascinate. Bill was noted for his “telepathic” communication with his rhythm sections. Includes unlimited streaming of Treasures: Solo, Trio & Orchestra recordings from Denmark (1965-69)

D5 Bill Evans, The Royal Danish Symphony Orchestra, Danish Radio Big Band– Waltz For Debby (Reprise) (4:19) Gomez and Morell, who worked together with Evans from 1968 to 1974, both share fond memories of their time in Copenhagen. Gomez says, “When I listen to recordings of the trio from this period — not to listen to myself, but to listen to what Bill was doing — it drives home the reality of just how wonderful, how great he was and what a high level he was at. He was just incredible.” Morell adds, “Copenhagen was like a dream. It was the most awesome situation for me at that time, at my age and at my time and place in the music business. It was euphoric. Here I am going to Europe playing with Bill Evans and Eddie Gomez. It was a thrill. It was absolutely wonderful.”

On The Go

In marked contrast is an unaccompanied solo set from Bill Evans (Copenhagen, November 1965), a fine blend of the introspective ballads one would expect of Evans with less expected moments of forceful swinging – even in the same tune, such as on a brisk version of My Funny Valentine (a standard on which a lesser musician might have been tempted to wallow in sentimentality). Perhaps the most fascinating material here is the orchestral suite (LP 2, Side 2). Recorded in November of 1969, and arranged and conducted by Danish trumpeter, Palle Mikkelborg, it featured four Evans’ originals. One of the stand-outs is “My Bells,” which is based on “So What” from the iconic Kind of Blue album of Miles Davis, on which Evans piano was featured. On the orchestral suite, American jazz ex-pats, Idrees Sulieman, and Sahib Shihab, were part of the Danish Radio Big Band at that time. CD review: Cal Tjader – Catch The Groove: Live At The Penthouse 1963 – 1967 – 2023: Video, CD cover November 20, 2023