Very Early: Remembering Bill Evans
Joplin Sweeney, 2025
9/10
Listen to Very Early: Remembering Bill Evans
The guitarist Jim Witzel tips his hat towards Bill Evans with these 9 track associated with Evans that welcome Phil Aaron, Dan Feiszli and Jason Lewis.
“Beautiful Love” starts with Witzel’s radiant guitar playing alongside Lewis’ frisky drums for the swift jazz climate, and “How My Heart Sings” follows with a warm mood thanks to the cozy guitar and Feiszli’s fluid bass lines.
“Very Early” and “Solar” land in the middle. The former bounces and shakes with an infectious energy, while the latter showcases the animated rhythm section alongside Witzel’s meticulous guitar progressions.
Closer to the end, “Some Other Time” emits much intimacy via Aaron’s heartfelt keys and the dreamy guitar, and “Peri’s Scope” exits with a charming interaction between the quartet that’s harmonic, expressive and timeless.
Evans was a piano player, so Witzel had to shift the focus of the songs his direction, as this 4th album as leader continues Witzel’s well crafted and intricate approach to jazz guitar music.
Travels well with: Jim Witzel Quartet- Breaking Through Gently; Jim Witzel Trio & Quartet- Feelin’ It