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Bill Evans: After Hours

By Ken Dryden
April 1, 2021
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Bill Evans

piano
1929 - 1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Evans was strictly known as a pianist, though he studied flute throughout college, yet he claimed to have "no chops on the instrument." His only previously known vocal was recorded on a lark at the conclusion of a

Monica Zetterlund

vocals
1937 - 2005

" data-original-title="" title="">Monica Zetterlund recording session for Philips, consisting of a playful, hip take of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," which was never intended for release, but it finally appeared in The Complete Verve Recordings of Bill Evans boxed set in 1997.

Since Evans' death in 1980, fans have scoured every corner of the earth seeking unreleased broadcasts and private recordings. They were rewarded with the discovery of this undated session in a Swedish club that was taped after most of the audience and his sidemen had departed after the last set. Evans was known for his wide-ranging musical interests, but he pulls all stops in this friendly, privately recorded gathering.

The pianist is full of surprises, singing "The Best Man" without trying to mimic

Nat King Cole

piano and vocals
1919 - 1965

" data-original-title="" title="">Nat King Cole in his raspy voice. He adds a spontaneous lyric to boogie-woogie great

Meade Lux Lewis

piano
1905 - 1964

" data-original-title="" title="">Meade Lux Lewis' "Honky Tonk Train Blues" and has a blast tackling "Your Feet's Too Big," forever associated with

Fats Waller

piano
1904 - 1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Fats Waller. The audience eats up every minute of the eight vocal selections, encouraging him with laughter and applause throughout each song.

April Dårar

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">April D?rar, a local singer, joins him in the playful duet of "Dear Old Stockholm," a hilarious duo scat treatment of

Dizzy Gillespie

trumpet
1917 - 1993

" data-original-title="" title="">Dizzy Gillespie's "Salt Peanuts" and a tongue in cheek treatment of his timeless ballad "Waltz For Debby." He puts the humor aside to conclude with a stunning, though far too brief medley of "Blue In Green" and "Nardis."

The audio isn't of professional quality, but this previously unknown recording is clearly one for the ages.

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Track Listing

How High The Moon; The Best Man; Honky Tonk Train Blues; Smoke Gets In Your Eyes; Your Feet��s Too Big; Dear Old Stockholm; Salt Peanuts; Waltz For Debby; Blue In Green/Nardis.

Personnel

Bill Evans

piano

Additional Instrumentation

April D?rar: vocals.

Album information

Title: After Hours | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: April First Records

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