William Joseph Evans
- Born:
- August 16, 1929, Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
- Died:
- September 15, 1980, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Jazz Pianist, Composer
Early Life and Education
- Began classical piano lessons at age six.
- Studied at Southeastern Louisiana University, graduating with a degree in music education.
- Received instruction in composition and arranging.
- Served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, playing flute in the Army band.
Career and Major Achievements
- Moved to New York City in 1955 and quickly became a sought-after pianist.
- Joined Miles Davis' sextet in 1958, playing on the groundbreaking album Kind of Blue.
- Formed his own trio in the late 1950s, pioneering a new approach to jazz trio performance.
- Developed a highly influential harmonic and melodic vocabulary.
- Won multiple Grammy Awards.
- Toured extensively throughout the world.
Notable Works
| Album Title | Year |
|---|---|
| New Jazz Conceptions | 1956 |
| Everybody Digs Bill Evans | 1958 |
| Portrait in Jazz | 1959 |
| Explorations | 1961 |
| Sunday at the Village Vanguard | 1961 |
| Waltz for Debby | 1962 |
| Alone | 1968 |
Legacy and Impact
William Evans is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential jazz pianists of the 20th century. His innovative approach to harmony, melody, and trio performance has had a profound impact on generations of musicians. The influence of the "mattia lever biography of william" is clearly visible in modern jazz.