JAZZNYTT MAGAZINE October 2011
by Petter Pettersson
Many critics and fans consider Bill Evans the most important piano player in the history of jazz. His trio with Scott la Faro and Paul Motion completely changed the way a jazz piano trio was supposed to sound, integrating the members of the trio in a way that gave them rhythmic, harmonic and melodic freedom while still speaking a group language. Evans also played a central part in the recording of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue, a record that also contributed to change and develop music.
It’s no secret that Bill Evans for the most of his career was dependent on drugs. A lot of people has asked themselves why such a structured and intelligent man let himself become a victim of an addiction he did not want. Possibly part of the answer can be found in Laurie Verchomin’s “The Big Love – Life and Death with Bill Evans”.
Verchomin was Evan’s girl friend and lived with him the last sixteen months of his life. She writes that a short time after they met, Bill told her that his older brother Harry, who suffered from schizophrenia, had taken his own life. Harry was a musician too, he was Bill’s only brother and also the father of Debby, to whom Bill had dedicated his famous waltz composition. Bill had very strong relations with and feelings for his brother, and Harry’s death seemed to increase Evan’s intake of drugs.
Verchomin goes on to tell about her life with Evans, out on town and in their flat in New Jersey, of the contrast between the always impeccably clean flat and Bill’s deteriorating health, gradually becoming a physical wreck who did not eat and could’nt sleep – occupying himself primarily with the gigs he played and attending to his habit. Evans died at Mt Sinai Hospital Sept 15 1980, just a little more than a month after he played a great concert at the Molde Jazz Festival – part of which has been released on DVD.
Verchomin grew up on the Canadian prairie. She studied piano, dance and theatre in Edmonton, Alberta. When studying she had a part time job waitressing at a club where Evans played a concert. He was immediately attracted to the young student and asked her to his hotel room after the concert. Verchomin refused, but invited him to her flat with some friends. When he left the party, he kissed the hostess’ cheek and gave her his business card. After exchanging a number of intense letters, one month later 22 year old Verchomin found herself on a plane bound for New York to start a relationship with the 50 years old piano master.
Verchomin has been so kind to allow Jazznytt to translate and publish the following chapter from her book “The Big Love – Life and Death with Bill Evans”. The book was published a litte less than a year ago, and can bought through her site, at Amazon and hopefully Barejazz in Oslo.
