The Music of Gil Evans

The young American composer, arranger and big band leader Ryan Truesdell is a true Gil Evans specialist, with two albums on Evans’ music to his name. Together with the BJO Truesdell made an exciting selection from the rich repertoire of Gil Evans. The programme includes well-known pieces like Miles Ahead, So What, standards like Struttin' with Some BBQ and Donna Lee, as well as Avalon Town, Just One of Those Things and many others.

Gil Evans (1912-1988) is one of the greatest composers, orchestra leaders and innovators in jazz history. As an arranger, his acclaimed collaboration with Miles Davis lasted for many years. Brussels Jazz Orchestra has already played work by Gil Evans at North Sea Jazz. In 2002 the orchestra, conducted by Maria Schneider, performed the Miles Davis / Gil Evans masterpiece 'Sketches of Spain'.

Ryan Truesdell made his name with the Gil Evans Project. Truesdell wanted to draw attention to the lesser-known works of Gil Evans. In the process, he discovered more than 50 unpublished compositions. The best of them were brought together on the album Centennial: Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans (2012). The disc was a hit and Truesdell has been touring the world since then with the Gil Evans Project. In 2014 this led to a second album: Lines of Color. Live at Jazz Standard (2014).