Years ago I wrote a lyric to "Time Remembered", a ballad by jazz piano legend Bill Evans. It's since been published in numerous fake books and collections of Mr Evans' work, and has been recorded by vocalists around the world.
I don't generally go for vocal versions of Bill Evans' compositions. Too many attempts feel trite or lack the sensitivity and depth of Evans' piano originals. In other cases, the vocalist doesn't have enough technique, a problem instantly exposed when attempting an Evans piece. But there are exceptions. Here are my favorite vocal interpretations of Evans' songs, in no particular order. My criteria? An evident understanding of Evans' melodic primacy, tender timbre and gentle swing:
...Kendra Shank, Time Remembered. This is from Shank's new Mosaic album (which includes a smart interpretation of Carole King's So Far Away). On Time Remembered, Shank shows off her enormous range and delivers her interpretation with a warmth and love that leaps right out.
Meredith d'Ambrosio, Blue and Green. Blue in Green originally was credited to Miles Davis, but years after Kind of Blue was recorded, Evans disclosed that he was the composition's author. D'Ambrosio tweaked the title, wrote lyrics and recorded it on Echo of a Kiss (1998). She also included a fine version of Time Remembered. If you're unfamiliar with d'Ambrosio, she's a marvelous singer with a cozy, hip sound. John Coltrane liked her voice so much he asked her to tour with him in 1966, but d'Ambrosio declined...
Meredith d'Ambrosio — Echo of a Kiss
Joan Diaz Trio — We Sing Bill Evans
Kendra Shank Quartet — Mosaic
Esmeralda Ferrara Sings Bill Evans
Mike Heffley — Double Bill Heavens
Judy Niemack— About Time
Mariko Sho — Time Remembered
Victor Michaud — Wunderbar Orchestra
Pictured:
Hail and Reign, A Musical. Book and lyrics by Colin Speer Crowley. Music by Paul Lewis. Bainbridge Performing Arts, 2008. Troupers Light Opera, Darien CT, 2012. A battle for the throne in 12th-century England soon becomes a battle for the heart. Photos by Steven Fogell.
Last Poem on Earth: A Jazz Requiem (2007)
An 80-minute choral and orchestral piece in which the poems of a dozen Northwest writers were set to music. Performed by the Bainbridge Chorale, a children's choir and a chamber orchestra. Adapted by Bonnie Wallace and Paul Lewis, with music and orchestrations by Paul Lewis
The World Below, a Children's Opera by Paul Lewis and Mark Power (2007)
Adapted from the book by Michael Tomkins. Produced at Coe Elementary School, Seattle, with a cast of both children and adult performers, accompanied by a professional orchestra.
The Recollection of Flight, A Musical (2002, 2005)
A story of two Jewish brothers from New Jersey, one an infantryman and the other an Army Air Corps flyer, both in love with the same girl.
Productions: Workshop at Bainbridge Performing Arts 2002; full production at BPA in 2005. Poster art by Steve Stolee
