[SACD-R][OF] Stan Getz & Bill Evans - Stan Getz & Bill Evans - 1973/2011 (Bop, Cool)

Stan Getz – tenor saxophone
Bill Evans – piano
Richard Davis – bass (tracks 4-6, 9 & 10)
Ron Carter – bass (tracks 1-3, 7, 8 & 11)
Elvin Jones – drums

Stan Getz & Bill Evans is an album by jazz saxophonist Stan Getz & pianist Bill Evans recorded in 1964 for the Verve label but only 1st released 1973.

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s studio in Englewood Cliffs, N.J. on May 5, 1964 (tracks 4-6, 9 & 10) & May 6, 1964 (tracks 1-3, 7, 8 & 11).

Includes liner notes by James Isaacs. Digitally remastered by Dennis Drake (Polygram Studios).The only studio meeting between Stan Getz & Bill Evans took place over 2 days in 1964, with the aggressive drummer Elvin Jones & either Richard Davis or Ron Carter on bass. It is peculiar that Verve shelved the results for over a decade before issuing any of the music, though it may have been felt that Getz & Evans hadn’t had enough time to achieve the desired chemistry, though there are memorable moments. The punchy take of “My Heart Stood Still,” the elegant interpretation of “Grandfather’s Waltz,” & the lush setting of the show tune “Melinda” all came from the 1st day’s session, with Davis on bass. (Evidently he was unavailable the following day, so Carter replaced him.) Evans’ driving, challenging “Funkallero” is the obvious highlight from day 2, though the gorgeous “But Beautiful” & the breezy setting of “Night & Day” are also enjoyable. Only the brief version of “Carpetbagger’s Theme,” which seems badly out of place & suggestive of the label’s interference with the session, is a bit of a disappointment. (It’s not included on this SHM version) Obviously neither Getz nor Evans liked the tune, as they go through the motions in a very brief performance. [Some reissues add 3 unissued alternate takes, though additional material from the sessions was included in the box set The Complete Bill Evans on Verve.]
~ Ken Dryden