Gil Evans - Gil Evans & Ten (1957) @320

Gil Evans - Gil Evans & Ten (1957)

Mp3 320 kbps

Although arranger Gil Evans had been active in the major leagues of jazz ever since the mid-'40s and had participated in Miles Davis' famous Birth of the Cool recordings, this set was his first opportunity to record as a leader.

The CD reissue features a typically unusual 11-piece unit consisting of two trumpets, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, Bart Varsalona on bass trombone, French horn player Willie Ruff, Steve Lacy on soprano, altoist Lee Konitz, Dave Kurtzer on bassoon, bassist Paul Chambers, and either Nick Stabulas or Jo Jones on drums, plus the leader's sparse piano.

As good an introduction to his work as any, this program includes diverse works ranging from Leadbelly to Leonard Bernstein, plus Evans' own "Jambangle." The arranger's inventive use of the voices of his rather unique sidemen make this a memorable set. ~ Scott Yanow

Originally released on Prestige (7120)




01 Remember (Berlin) 4:30
02 Ella Speed (Leadbelly, Lomax) 5:45
03 Big Stuff (Bernstein) 4:57
04 Nobody's Heart (Hart, Rodgers) 4:31
05 Just One of Those Things (Porter) 4:29
06 If You Could See Me Now (Dameron, Sigman) 4:20
07 Jambangle (Evans) 5:00

Recorded at Hackensack (New Jersey) on September 9 (track 1) and 27 (tracks 4, 6), and October 10 (tracks 2, 3, 5, 7) 1957


Gil Evans Piano
Jimmy Cleveland Trombone
Bart Varsalona Trombone (Bass)
Louis Mucci Trumpet
Johnny Carisi Trumpet
Jake Koven Trumpet
Willie Ruff French Horn
Lee Konitz Sax (Alto)
Steve Lacy Sax (Soprano)
Dave Kurtzer Bassoon
Paul Chambers Bass
Nick Stabulas Drums
Jo Jones Drums (track 1)