This album is dedicated to Evan Evans, his family and to the memory of my dear friend, the late, great Bill Evans.

On a sunny February morning in 2002, I found myself heading south on US 1 from San Francisco to Carmel, CA. It would prove to be a very inspirational day for me for I would finally have an opportunity to meet Evan Evans, and his family. Evan is the son of legendary jazz pianist, Bill Evans. I had the good fortune to share the same bandstand with Bill and bassist Eddie Gomez for close to seven years. Working with Bill was the single most important experience of my professional career. Not only was it musically rewarding, but getting to know Bill and having him for a best friend was really something special. He was a truly wonderful man. So many people ask me "what kind of guy was he?" "How was he to work for?" I always answer by saying “if you know Bill’s music, then you know Bill." He projected himself so much through his music. Bill was his music.

Musicians can learn so much from Bill Evans not only musically, but from a spiritual standpoint as well. His music was above all, honest and it was incredibly heartfelt. Needless to say I felt a kind of familial closeness to Bill. So going to meet his son Evan was like going to meet long lost family, in a way.

Evan reminded me of Bill so much. Not only did he have a lot of Bill’s physical features but he also possessed many of Bill’s personality traits. Evan is extremely gifted musically, and is a very busy and highly sought after film score composer in Hollywood, CA. He is a very intelligent guy and is well organized and methodical towards his work. Not surprisingly, these are some of the same terms that I would also use to describe Bill Evans as well.

After spending the day with Evan, his lovely wife Michelle and their son Elliot (they now have a daughter named Miranda as well) and realizing the importance of the Bill Evans legacy, I felt totally inspired to record this music. The recording of this CD is my way of saying thanks to Bill for all that he gave me. It has been over thirty years since I played my last set with Bill but it seems like just last week. He has been such an important part of my life not only musically but spiritually as well. Every time I sit down at the piano and play a chord, Bill is with me.

Words can never express the feeling that I have about the experience of knowing Bill and playing music with him, but I think that the music on my CD will give you a closer look into my heart. Bill always encouraged me to write and to explore my own musical thing. Three of my own compositions are featured on this album. The tune “Waltz to BE” was written in 1974, during the last week I worked with Bill Evans.

The musicians on this 'live' performance CD are some of the finest players that you will hear anywhere! I have worked with them in many different musical situations over the last 25 years --- and when it came time to pick the players to record with, there was no doubt in my mind who to use. I know you will enjoy hearing these wonderfully exciting Canadian musicians.

These tracks were originally recorded for reference purposes. The band was using that week in the club to get the music tight for the studio dates that we had scheduled for the following week, but after listening to all the takes, in the studio and these ‘live’ sessions, I decided to go with these exciting live tracks instead of the studio tracks! The dates were recorded on a DAT machine with two microphones, so any kind of slick mixing or playing with the sound was not an option. But it still sounds clean and fresh. I love the live energy so much, and the music really does makes up for what may have been lacking in studio performances. I know that you will enjoy it!

Order the CD here!

Email Marty: info AT martymorell Dot COM