Gil Evans Orchestra

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Gil Evans (1912-88) was one of the most important and influential arrangers in jazz history.

Although best remembered for his work of the 1950s and ‘60s, particularly his three classic albums with Miles Davis (Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess, and Sketches Of Spain), he had a much different sound in the 1980s.

Evans led his Monday Night Band at Sweet Basil in New York throughout the 1980s, featuring long solos from his sidemen, happily crowded ensembles, and a mixture of acoustic instruments with electric keyboards.

On Jan .11, 1988, just nine weeks before his death, Evans headed a 15-piece band which included six brass instruments, three saxophonists, three keyboards, guitarist Hiram Bullock, bass and drums

The 96-minute second set is seen here in full with plenty of fireworks occurring.

Personnel:

Gil Evans, electric piano
Miles Evans, trumpet
Lew Soloff, trumpet
Shinzo Ono, trumpet
Dave Taylor, trombone
Dave Bergeron, trombone
John Clark, French horn
Chris Hunter, alto
Alex Foster, tenor
Tom “Bones” Malone, baritone, tuba
Gil Goldstein, synthesizer
Pete Levin, synthesizer
Hiram Bullock, guitar
Mark Egan, bass
Danny Gottlieb, drums

– Scott Yanow

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