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Chuck Israels: Tribute to Bill Evans

by Robin Arends
Isn't it nice to meet someone who takes time for a good chat in these hectic times? Especially if this person has a lot to tell, carries the living memory of an important part of jazz history, and is called Chuck Israels?Bassist/arranger/composer Chuck Israels is in expansive form for this interview conducted in a room of a former monastery in Oegstgeest, a small town in the Netherlands near the North Sea. He is happy to be reunited again ...
Continue ReadingChuck Israels: Evans, Education and Philosophy

by Sean Dietrich
Throughout his career bassist Chuck Israels has worked with illustrious names including Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane. He is, however, best known for his work with Bill Evans, following the untimely death of Scott LaFaro, performing with the legendary pianist from 1961 to 1966. Strikingly intelligent and well-spoken when it comes to articulating a valuable philosophy regarding jazz, and composition, Israels is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Western Washington ...
Continue ReadingChuck Israels

by Elliott Simon
An infrequent visitor to his hometown, bassist Chuck Israels is returning to NYC this month for rehearsals of his new music with David Berger's Sultans of Swing big band. Israels and Berger have a musical relationship that dates back to the National Jazz Ensemble, a groundbreaking jazz repertory orchestra that Israels conceived in the mid '70s. Their recordings highlighted superb arrangements across a wide variety of jazz styles. A treasure from their catalogue features pianist Bill Evans sitting in with ...
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