Bill Evans Trio: Waltz for Debby (Original Jazz Classics) [CRAFT]

Why you'll love it

Waltz for Debby is one of the most beautiful live jazz records ever made, captured at the Village Vanguard just days before bassist Scott LaFaro's death. This Craft Original Jazz Classics pressing is all-analog on 180g vinyl.

This edition

• Original Jazz Classics series
• All-analog mastering
• 180g vinyl
• Single LP, 6 tracks

About the album

On Sunday, June 25, 1961, pianist Bill Evans, bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian played five sets at New York's Village Vanguard while Riverside's tapes rolled. The trio had developed a new way of playing together, with all three musicians in constant, delicate conversation rather than bass and drums simply keeping time behind the piano.

Eleven days later LaFaro was killed in a car accident, which makes the tenderness here all the more moving. "My Foolish Heart" is a breathtakingly slow ballad, the title track (written for Evans' young niece) is pure charm, and "Milestones" and "Detour Ahead" show how freely the trio could swing. Recorded live, with the clink of glasses and murmurs of the crowd, it feels like you're sitting right there.

Also at Kops: more Bill Evans on vinyl · browse Classic Jazz

Tracklist

Listen

On Riverside / Craft Recordings, a reissue of the 1962 album.