Waltz For Debby

Description

Craft Recordings announces the second batch of Original Jazz Classics series reissuesall of which are essential additions to any jazz fans collection. Delivering the highest-quality listening experience, each album boasts lacquers cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio, 180-gram vinyl pressed at RTI and tip-on jackets, replicating the original artwork. All titles will also be released digitally in 192/24 HD audio.

One of the most influential artists in the history of jazz, Bill Evans (19291980) was known for his conversational interplay within his trios, his lyrical compositions and his matchless approach to the piano. In 1959, after a year with Miles Davis sextet, Evans embarked on a new chapter with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motiana unit that would redefine the notion of the piano trio.

Over the next two years, the group recorded four foundational titles together, beginning with Portrait in Jazz and Explorations. Their final two albums, 1961s Sunday at the Village Vanguard and 1962s Waltz for Debby were both captured live on June 25, 1961, at New York Citys legendary Village Vanguard club. Tragically, that would be the last time that the trio would play together, as LaFaro was killed in a car accident days later.

Sunday at the Village Vanguard was intended to be a tribute to LaFaros talentsbookended by two of the bassists compositions (Glorias Step and Jade Visions) and showcasing his best solos from that summer day. What resulted is arguably one of the greatest live jazz recordings of all time. The trios exquisite unity is on display throughout the album, which also includes several crowd-pleasing standards (Cole Porters All of You, George Gershwins My Mans Gone Now and Sammy Fains theme to Alice in Wonderland) plus a rendition of Miles Davis Solar.

The bands uncanny interplay continues in Waltz for Debby an album held in equally high regard by generations of scholars. Picking up where Sunday at the Village Vanguard left off, this album features additional highlights from the bands memorable appearance (five sets spread over the afternoon and evening). Aside from the title track (a standard by Evans, written for his niece in the mid-50s), Waltz for Debby is comprised entirely of popular material, including Victor Youngs My Foolish Heart, Leonard Bernsteins Some Other Time and Miles Davis Milestones.