What Is This Thing Called Love? - Bill Evans Trio
"What Is This Thing Called Love?" is a jazz standard composed by Cole Porter and famously performed by the Bill Evans Trio. The song explores the complexity of love and the emotions that come with it. The trio's rendition of the song begins with a delicate piano introduction by Bill Evans, setting a melancholic and introspective tone. Evans' intricate and lyrical piano playing is complemented by the rhythmic and supportive bass playing of Scott LaFaro and the subtle brushwork of drummer Paul Motian. The arrangement of the song showcases the trio's tight musical interplay, with each member taking turns to showcase their musical prowess while maintaining a cohesive sound. The trio's improvisational skills are on full display as they navigate through the song's harmonically rich chord changes and melodic structure. One notable aspect of the Bill Evans Trio's interpretation of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is their ability to bring out the emotional depth of the song through their nuanced and sensitive playing. Evans' heartfelt phrasing and lyrical improvisations, combined with LaFaro's inventive bass lines and Motian's dynamic drumming, create a captivating and evocative musical experience. Overall, the Bill Evans Trio's rendition of "What Is This Thing Called Love?" is a masterful interpretation of a classic jazz standard that showcases the trio's exceptional musicianship and deep emotional sensitivity.
Bill Evans Trio
The Bill Evans Trio was a groundbreaking jazz group formed in 1959 by pianist and composer Bill Evans, along with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. Together, they created some of the most innovative and influential music in the history of jazz. Born in Plainfield, New Jersey in 1929, Bill Evans showed an early talent for music and began studying piano at a young age. He moved to New York City in the early 1950s and quickly became a sought-after session musician, playing with artists such as Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley. In 1958, he joined the Miles Davis Sextet and played on the seminal album "Kind of Blue," which is widely considered one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. In 1959, Evans formed his own trio with LaFaro and Motian, and they quickly gained a reputation for their innovative approach to jazz. Evans' lyrical and introspective piano playing, combined with LaFaro's melodic bass lines and Motian's subtle and inventive drumming, created a unique sound that set them apart from other jazz groups of the time. One of the trio's most famous recordings is the album "Sunday at the Village Vanguard," which was recorded live in 1961 and is considered a landmark in the history of jazz. The album showcases the trio's unparalleled chemistry and improvisational skills, with each member contributing equally to the group's sound. Tragically, LaFaro was killed in a car accident just ten days after the recording of "Sunday at the Village Vanguard," ending the original trio's run. However, Evans continued to lead various incarnations of the Bill Evans Trio throughout the 1960s and 1970s, working with a rotating cast of talented musicians. The Bill Evans Trio's impact on music cannot be overstated. They helped to redefine the role of the piano trio in jazz, moving away from the traditional piano-bass-drums format and exploring new directions in harmony, rhythm, and improvisation. Their music has influenced countless jazz musicians and continues to inspire listeners to this day. Bill Evans himself is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, known for his distinctive touch, harmonic sophistication, and emotional depth. He received multiple Grammy Awards throughout his career and was posthumously inducted into the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981. In conclusion, the Bill Evans Trio was a groundbreaking and influential group that made a lasting impact on the world of jazz. Their music continues to be celebrated and studied by musicians and fans alike, cementing their legacy as one of the most important groups in the history of the genre.