#modaljazz

Bill Evans Trio – Quiet Now 

Herbie Hancock – Empyrean Isles

Empyrean Isles is the fourth studio album by American jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, recorded in 1964 for Blue Note Records.

Reception

The Penguin Guide to Jazz awarded Empyrean Isles four out of four stars.

AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album five out of five stars, calling it “a record that officially established Hancock as a major artist in his own right.”

Bill Evans Trio – Crosscurrents 

Crosscurrents is an album by American jazz pianist Bill Evans, recorded in early 1977 and released in 1978 on Fantasy as F 9568. Along with Evans’ trio of Eddie Gómez and Eliot Zigmund, Lee Konitz and Warne Marsh guest on alto and tenor saxophone respectively.

Reception.

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 4½ stars and stated:”This superior set was a logical idea. One of pianist Bill Evans’ earlier influences was Lennie Tristano, so for this date, Evans’ trio (with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund) was teamed with Tristano’s two top “students”: altoist Lee Konitz and tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh. The quintet performs four standards (all of which fit easily into Evans’ repertoire) plus “Pensativa” and Steve Swallow’s “Eiderdown.” Konitz and Marsh always worked very well together and their cool-toned improvising makes this outing by Bill Evans something special. Recommended.”

Personnel: Bill Evans – piano Lee Konitz – alto saxophone Warne Marsh – tenor saxophone Eddie Gómez – bass Eliot Zigmund – drums

Wayne Shorter – Speak No Evil (Full Album)

Speak No Evil is the sixth album by Wayne Shorter. It was released in June 1966 by Blue Note Records. The music combines elements of hard bop and modal jazz. The cover shows Wayne Shorter’s first wife, Teruka (Irene) Nakagami, whom he met in 1961.

Personnel: Wayne Shorter — tenor saxophone Freddie Hubbard — trumpet Herbie Hancock — piano Ron Carter — double bass Elvin Jones — drums

Reception.

The album is generally regarded as one of Shorter's finest, and also a highlight of the Blue Note catalogue. The Penguin Guide to Jazz selected this album as part of its suggested "Core Collection" calling it "by far Shorter's most satisfying record". The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek awarded the album 5 stars.