 Jazz Profiles Gil Evans: The Arranger as Re-composer
Jazz ProfilesTuesday, May 10, 2011Gil Evans: The Arranger as Re-composer – Part 1 “He
was a mysterious man, as elusive and evanescent as his art. He could be
maddeningly absent-minded; yet he could be closely attentive and
solicitous, and you never quite knew how much Gil Evans was noticing
about you. His childhood is an enigma, and there is even a question
about his real name. Tall, lank, professional of mien, he was kind,
self-critical, and self-doubting.” - Gene Lees “The
mind reels at the intricacy of his orchestral and developmental
techniques. His scores are so careful, so formally well-constructed, so
mindful of tradition, that you feel the originals should be preserved
under glass in a Florentine museum.” - Bill Mathieu [arranger-composer] “His
name is famously an anagram of Svengali and Gil spent much of his
career shaping the sounds and musical philosophies of younger musicians.
… His peerless voicings are instantly recognizable.” - Richard Cook “I
bought every one of Louis Armstrong’s records from 1927-1936. … In
every one of these three minute records, there’s a magic moment
somewhere. Every one of them. I really learned how to handle a song from
him. I learned how to love music from him. Because he loved music and
he did everything with love and care. So he’s my main influence I
think.” - Gil Evans |
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