Bill Evans was one of the premier jazz pianists of the 20th century.  His technical expertise was unparalleled but it was his ability for conveying motion that set him apart from most of his contemporaries.

The Bill Evans Trio had performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival June 15, 1968. Five days later they were coaxed into a recording studio by German jazz producers Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer and Joachim-Ernst Berendt. The trio recorded more than an albums worth of material but due to label contractual obligations, an album was never released. Now, almost 50 years later, Some Other Time: The Lost Session From The Black Forest finally sees the light of day as a two-disc, 21 track set. Adding to the authenticity of the set are interviews with surviving trio members Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette, a number of incisive essays by people originally involved in the project, plus many archival photos from the period.

What makes the release unique and so historically important to the fans of Evans is the trio itself. While bassist Gomez played with Evans for years, DeJohnette was only a part of the trio for six months and this is the first studio album to feature his drumming.

By 1968 Evans was an established force in jazz music. His was just finishing his swing period and was moving in a direction that would become known as his percussive poet years. The addition of Gomez had given his rhythm section a foundational depth lacking in the past. DeJohnette added more layering with a delicate yet dramatic approach in which the cymbals played a prominent part.

This is not an album of demos and doodles but rather a spontaneously created full studio album.

The trio relies heavily on material from the Great American Songbook. Songs such as “What Kind Of Fool Am I,” “I’ll Remember  April,” “My Funny Valentine,” “You’re Gonna Hear From Me,” and “Baubles, Bangles And Beads” are all presented with conviction and passion as Evans explores the textures of the melodies and brings out some extra depths hidden in the songs.

Some Other Time: The Lost Session From The Black Forest has been a gem in hiding for nearly five decades. It catches a jazz legend at a crossroads of his career as he begins to move in a new direction. A must for all jazz aficionados.

Rating: B+

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