BILL EVANS Biography - Musicians

 
 

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BILL EVANS

Name: William John Evans                                                                 
Born: 16 August 1929 Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S.                                         
Died: 15 September 1980                                                                   
Genre(s): Jazz, modal jazz, hard bop, Third stream                                       
Occupation(s): Pianist                                                                   
                                                                                         
William John Evans (better known as Bill Evans) (August 16, 1929 - September 15,         
1980) was one of the most famous and influential American jazz pianists of 20th-century. 
His use of impressionist harmony, his inventive interpretation of traditional             
jazz repertoire, and his syncopated and polyrhythmic melodic lines influenced a           
generation of pianists, including Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Denny Zeitlin             
and Keith Jarrett, as well as as guitarists Lenny Breau and Pat Metheny. The             
music of Bill Evans continues to inspire younger pianists like Fred Hersch,               
Esbjarn Svensson, Bill Charlap, Brad Mehldau, Geoffrey Keezer and Lyle Mays.             
Evans is an inductee of the Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame.