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Challenges Abound in 2-Week Tribute
The pianist Chick Corea, who always seems up for a challenge, is taking on another one. It's not some region of music that's new to him, or some techniquey Everest. It's not even especially Bill Evans, although his music lies at the center of the jazz tradition over the last half-century and is the pretext for Mr. Corea's current gig. The challenge is the drummer Paul Motian.
Tuesday night started a two-week stand at the Blue Note for Mr. Corea, Mr. Motian and the bassist Eddie Gomez. Evans, who died in 1980, is the elephant in this room. Mr. Motian and Mr. Gomez played in Evanss piano trios for significant, nonoverlapping stretches in the 1960s and '70s, and Mr. Corea is a serious admirer. Accordingly, the gig has been billed as “Further Explorations of Bill Evans," and is being recorded for a live album.
Contrary to all that, Mr. Corea welcomed the audience to a “rehearsal," and warned listeners not to get “too uptight" about the Bill Evans theme. That was right. The band felt its way in the dark and has some settling to do.
Tuesday night started a two-week stand at the Blue Note for Mr. Corea, Mr. Motian and the bassist Eddie Gomez. Evans, who died in 1980, is the elephant in this room. Mr. Motian and Mr. Gomez played in Evanss piano trios for significant, nonoverlapping stretches in the 1960s and '70s, and Mr. Corea is a serious admirer. Accordingly, the gig has been billed as “Further Explorations of Bill Evans," and is being recorded for a live album.
Contrary to all that, Mr. Corea welcomed the audience to a “rehearsal," and warned listeners not to get “too uptight" about the Bill Evans theme. That was right. The band felt its way in the dark and has some settling to do.
