ETT Ee FROM Board of Advisor: Warren Bernharct Chuck Israels Potor H. Larson Ron Nethercutt Jack Reilly July/August, 1991 Renewal Time is Now! $18.00 renewal rate in effect for a limited time! s LFE enters is third year, your renewal check. is extremely important. Ifyou renew bofere Sep- tember 1, 1991, the rate for a regular bulk mail subscription is still only $18.00, UCS. funds. All subscription prices will go up September 1, 1991; so you will save, if you renew now. The new rates are on page 14, If you are a starving student or a peasiouer on a fixed income and cannot afford the $18.00, vite me about your plight and Ill sce what [can do, Inthe past, 've had only one subscriber contibute more than the subscription fee. In addition to the price of his subscription, he sent a caeck for $50.00. Ihave never begged for money, and P'm not going to start now. On page 13 there is « “suite of The Newsleter Re- port” with some financial infor- ‘ation. By September 1, 199, Thope t have non-profit status. Iwill accept donations and gifts to keep IFE afloat. 1 have thought sbout having different levels of suppor like symphony orchestras and public radio sta- tions, but that doesn't sit straight with mo. Ff any one do- nates above his subscription rate, he will have the desigm- tion “contributor” in my data Renewal Notice . News ..... Corrections... Letiers .... The St in this Issue: Renawal-Subscription Form . New Subscription Rates . Thoughts on Jazz Edueation-Hal Galper 5 “How Deep is the Ocean” - Jack Reilly . 8 of the Newsletter Address . 13 Interview with Jim Hall. « Keith Jarrett in South Carolina OTe eriuiig Publication Dedicated to Brea Tae) yess eee ea aero St Vol. 2, Number 6, Price $4.00 base. I'somcone donates $500 or more, he will receive LFE for the lifetime of the publication, all back issues, « copy of the Bill Evans discogrepty (when reprinted), any designation he wishes in my database (eg, “Great Exalted One,") and his namein lage printin LFE. Don’t write off your contribution 45 a charitable donation until I get the nou-profit status. IF LLFE cams any money after normal expenses, intend to set up a scholarship fund and/or purchase a burial headstone for Bill Evans's resting place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (pend- ing agreement with his family). In a fata ise, Twill ist subscribers’ names by country so all may see the company they keep by subscribing to LFE. News ST Lary Whitford of Raleigh, North Carolina has staried a newsletter “dedicated to Chet Baker and his music.” Cher's Choice is a quertery publication available for a $20 annual subscription fee. When the premier issue actived in my mai box, I couldn't put it dowa until I had read it from cover t9 ‘cover. Lary has some able assistance from two other editors, (one in Nice, France). For more fe contset Larry B. Dunbar Road, Raleigh, NC 27686, Phone (919) 851-4422, PAX (019) 351-8968. (Chet Baker fans should enjey Hal Galper's remi- niscences of Chet in the int with Hal inthis issue.) In the first issue of Cher's Choice Larry printed » pictare of himself, along with the editorial ‘staff. 1 guess I should print my picture in LFE so readers can see ‘what [look like, On the other hand, qeeald aed?Letter from Evans, July/August, 1991 maybe I shoulda’t; I don't want to seare anybody! Let's just fay [fit the ttle of a jazz tune that a friend wrote, “Over 40, Overweight, and Over the Hill” 1D This issue has a great article by Jack Reilly oa the tune, “How Deep Is the Ocean.” T'm no Pianist but in order to rooftead for the article T played Jack's six part voicings of Bill's changes on the piano. My fourteen-year-old daughter ‘vis in the room listening and laughed athe oo'sand abs that Issued fort from my lips as bathed in the lueariant sound of cach chord. It reminded me of an anecdote conceming two (great jazz musicians inthe area who get very excited at hearing tach other's chords, especialy after smoking alittle toormoch Controlled substance. The story is true, more or less, but bas protably been embellished a lite, taving been handed down by word of mouth from musician to musician. Tt seems that Don the guitarist and a jazz bassist, known, affectionately as Dr. Rope, gota call from a local contractor to play a pool party duo gig at one of the major hotels in the area. They met over at Don’s house to goto the gig and partook of apre-pig weed ro order to clear upthe oldsinnses. They got to the hotel, found the pool, sw a guy ina suit and asked him where they were to set up. He replied, “Just set up anywhere {you like.” Don said to Dr. Rope, “Yeah, man tis is going to de a great gig.” They asked the guy inthe suit, “What kind of rousie do you want us to play .mman?” The sult said, Anything you want.” So Don and Dr. Rope setup shop in the shade, and Surted playing jazz standards, each wowing the other with ‘new-found chord substitutions, having a great time. After an hour or $0, they tooka break and went back to the car to clear the sinuses # litle more, saying toeach other, whata great gig this was. They came back (othe pool and asked the guy in the suit, “How do want us to work the breals:7” The suit replied, “Anyway you vantisfine withus.” Den and Dr. Rope thought, “Wow, man, this isa great gig.” Don asked if they could get @ drink from the bar. No Problem. Don and Dr. Rope had a great fsftemocn, playing whatever they wanted and clearing their sinuses back in Don's car on treaks. After three hours or 30 they packed up their stuff and went their separate ways, reoounting what a great gig they had just played. The people round the pool thanked them for playlag for tiem and said they bad really enjoyed the music. ‘When Don got home from the gig there was 2 fra nessage on his phone answering machine from tue contractor. The client had called saying his band hada’t showed up. It scems that Doa and Dr. Repe had a great gig, only they were in the wrong hotel! Just before this issuc went to press, I remumed from a performance bythe Keith Jaret Standards Trio at the Spoleto Piccolo Festival in Charleston, SC. 1 also interviewed Keith and bassist Gary Peacock T'l print these interviews in future ‘The conversation with Keith prompted me to recall and reaffirm why I publish this newsletter. Keith expressed con- LETTER FROM EVANS is published six times a year ‘at an annual subscription rate of $20,00 (bulk rate) in the continental United States, $25.00 first ‘class; ‘$25.00 (third class) in Alaska, Hawall, Canada, and Moxico. The rate in all ther countries ie $35 (funds in US, dollars). Previous issues are: available at | $6.00 each ($8.00 foreign). The opinions expressed herein ate not necessarily theee of the Publisher/Edi- jor, Win Hinkle, or the Board of Advisors. Letters to | the editor are welcome. on any aubjact. Advertising will be eccepted from firms that have a product of genuine interest to tho Bill Evans enthusiast A rate eaid is available. on request. Non-commercial Sources of Bil Evan nicterials may presant nolices for possible inclusion in LFE. The final detormination of suitability will be made at the sole discretion cf the Publsher[editor. The cover fogo, based on a photo. ‘graph by Jim Marshall, was: designed by Mike Ning ‘and js ueed by pormission. Q Board of Advisors: Warren Bernhardt Chuch Israels Fon Nethereutt Peter H. Larsen Jack Feilly Staff: Win Hinkle, Publisher/Editor Ellen Hinkle, Editorial Assistant Betsy Hinkle, Production Assistant ‘Chris Hinkle, Production Assistant Laurie VanBrunt, Gopy Editor Letter from Evens Win Hinkle, Editor 2712 Cady Way Winter Park, FL 92792-4856 USA. Voice Phone (407) 676-7113 FAX (407) 678-7049 Letter from Evans~Japan. William Montgomery, Editor Homat Orient #404 22 lehibancho; Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102, Japan Phone 011.813 237 1248 DISCLAIMER The oditor/publisher, writers, and members ‘of the Board of Advisors of LETTER FROM EVANS have never knowingly endorsed or ‘promoted any illegal audio or video recordings.cern (as others have) that possibly Bll vould not approve of thisnewsicttcr. 'm not sure either, and Tnever will be. LFE is both a tribute and aservice-orieted publication for jazz piano playing and trio playing as exemplified by Bill Evans and thers, After a major talent lke BIlL Evans dies, there is a tendency to place that person on a pedestal. I suppose to some degree I'm guilty ofthat and you are ako, or you woulda’t be reading this. This publication celebrates jazz plano playing — piano playing as diverse as Hal Galper and Fred Hersch, James ‘Williams and Keith Jaret, Joanne Brakeen and George Shesr- ing. Even after listing to fifty pianists (lke the ones mea tioned above), [ean cue upa Bill Evans CD and find something else in Bills playing that is unique. I'm always dawn back to Bill's playing. This ewsleuer isa tIbute to thatas wells an attempt 1 ty to understand why. ‘Also, if you need further explanation why I publish, pick ‘upa copy of Down Beat, or Jaci, Lest my ease, Atte other extreme, if you're not reading Cadence, Jazz Forum, Coda, and Jazz Times, you'te missing out. Don Nelset, an ais and Icisure water forthe New York Daily News, is writing a biography of Bill Evans, Don wrote the liner notes on Bill's first recordings and Kept in contact ‘with Bill until his death. More dais later. Corrections ee 1 gave an incomect ackiress for DMP, Digitel Masic Products, in the last issue. This is the label that records Warren Bern hardt, Andy LaVerne, and many other fine musicians, Ja my haste to print an address, I eacked for a DMP CD and gave the old New York address. The correct one is: Digital Musie Products, Inc., P.O, Box 15835 Park Square Station, Start ford, CT 06901, Telephone (203) 327.3800, FAX:(203) 323- 9474, Letters [See May 22,1991 Dear Win, ‘min a rush preparing to leave on the 25th for rehearsals and perfoumances in Yugoslavia with a fine Soviet pianist and a ‘good Yugoslavian drummer. We will perform at the Lisiaski Hall in Zagreb on June 11th (this performance will be tele visod) and then go onto Germany where we have a cancert in, Sturgart on the 14th, and then several days of recording in Ludwigsburg. All this under the rubric of the Chuck Israels Intemational Trio. Then I go on to Spain for some work with Steve Brown and Barry Harris. Anyway, I couldn't leave Lotter from Evans, July/August, 1991 ‘without taking a moment to thank you for the tape of the BBC broadcast. It is great to have thie visual reminder of our work together as well as all the recordings. Besides, the perform- ‘ances are first rate, and you were right about the quality of the bass sound on the tape. It makes me think I should have kept that instrument! I do think you might wy to interest Bruce Ricker, I'd certainly be pleased to have this generally available. Tmenclosing a copy of a letter to Down Beat that may be of interest. Meanwhile, once again, many, many thanks. Best wishes, Chuck Israels Bellingham, WA Thave sent a copy of this excellent video, Yaza 625, made for the BRC, 10 Bruce Ricker of Rhopsody Films, This is the company that offers many fine jazz videos including Pill Evans: On the Creative Process. [fanyone could do a good job of making this video comercially available itis Bruce. Iwill seep readers informed if it is made available, Ed. May 22, 1991 Down Beat 180 West Park Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126 Imagine my surprise on finding a CD released on JEAL Records from Deamark of a concert of the Bill Evans Trio in ‘which I performed (along with the superb drummer, Lary. Bunker) atthe Maison de Ia Radio in Paris in 1965. Ic is ironic to find that the usual warning sgainst unauthorized copying appears on the label ofthis unauthorized pirate recording. One of Bill's compositions, “Time Remembered,” is listed as “Peace, Picce” (another of his compositions). The liner notes, ‘ty one Charlie Garner, mention “the support and complicity ‘of two great partners, ... The most sensitive ones Bill Evans cover had.” Then the liner lists Eddic Gomez as the bassist and Marty Morell as the druramer (something like mixing up Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder or Tony Bennett and Bing Crosby), It is possible to be glad that the public has sccess to a recording of these extraordinary performances, while deplor- ing the shoddy way in which they have been released. I look forward to the opportunity to meet the people responsible for this release, so that I mighthave the chance to air my feelings to them. Meanwhile, this forura will have to suffice ‘Thanks for the chance to shed some light on a murky situation, Sincerely, hick Israels Bellingham, WA Since I don't read Downbeat I don’t know if they printed Chuck's leter. is reprinted here for ethers who maynotread Downbeat.—Ed.