Jazz Articles about Marc Johnson

like 366

Bill Evans: Homecoming

by Douglas Payne
June 1, 1999

It seems virtually every one of piano great Bill Evans's (1929-80) performances were recorded during the last two years of his life, when he had his last - and arguably superior - trio with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe LaBarbera. As more recordings continue to surface, it is evident that this was a most commanding unit.What makes this November 1979 recording, issued here for the time, so special is that the Evans trio was captured upon the ...

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Bill Evans: Homecoming

by AAJ Staff
June 1, 1999

“The last two years I was here were perhaps the happiest years of my life.” This was Bill Evans, talking about Southeastern Louisiana College, where he graduated in 1950. You know what happened: he went to New York, had a memorable stay with Miles Davis, and became one of the most influential pianists in jazz. His school also knew; now a university, they gave Bill their first Distinguished Alumnus award in 1969. Ten years later came a special event: a ...

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Marc Johnson: The Sound of Summer Running

by Douglas Payne
April 1, 1998

The poetry implied in the title of Marc Johnson's latest disc is very much a part of who he is and the way he creates music. He's one of those bassists who makes his presence felt rather than known. Listen to how he coalesces with Bill Evans on Turn Out The Stars (Warner Bros.) or both volumes of the still-not-on-CD gem Paris Concerts. He follows deeply explored paths, without tripping for effect or falling all over the soloist to capture ...

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Marc Johnson: The Sound Of Summer Running

by Ed Kopp
April 1, 1998

Legions of jazz guitar fans have eagerly awaited this meeting of superstar guitarists Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. The wait was worth it because the dynamic duo really delivers. The Sound Of Summer Running is a rich melodic affair that marries Metheny's early heartland sound with Frisell's country-jazz accents.

The album offers up ten original tunes, seven composed by the acoustic bassist Johnson. Frisell and Metheny prove to be a very sympatico pair, while Johnson is the glue ...