Gil Evans – and the Berlin Dream Band – Philharmonie, Berlin – November 6, 1971 – RBB Radio – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
The legendary Bill Evans in concert this week. Featuring Steve Lacy on Soprano sax and Karl Berger on vibes along with the Berlin Dream Band and captured for posterity on November 6, 1971 by RBB Radio, Berlin.
This is from Ron Wynn’s bio on Gil Evans in Allmusic:
A self-taught musician, Evans led his own group in California during the mid and late ’30s. He remained its arrranger after Skinnay Ennis became bandleader, until he joined Claude Thornhill’s orchestra in 1941 as an arranger. His arrangements of classical bebop compositions helped shape and make Thornhill’s orchestra a topflight band. He stayed until 1948, except for a stretch in the service during the mid-’40s. Evans first worked with Miles Davis in the late ’40s and early ’50s, creating the same magic, but with a smaller combo. He also wrote songs for Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett, and Benny Goodman, while conducting albums for Astrud Gilberto and Kenny Burrell.
Evans generated more fireworks later in the ’50s and ’60s with Davis, writing spectacular arrangements for the albums Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, and Sketches of Spain (later came Quiet Nights). Evans also played piano on some sessions. These, and his 1958 album New Bottle Old Wine remain landmark works. His own intriguing releases in the ’60s included Out of the Cool, Into the Hot, and The Individualism of Gil Evans.
A little scruffy in spots, but any Gil Evans is worthwhile Gil Evans. Something to dive into this rather relaxed Sunday.
Enjoy.
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