Discovering Bill Evans (Part One: The Minimalist)

Let's examine how Bill Evans could use a very few amount of notes to evoke an immense amount of emotion.
If you'd like to support me, you can do so here:
paypal.me/aimn
Please visit my website:
aimeenolte.com
Aimee Nolte

[@jettgoforth6453]

If you wanna do more Bill evans this quarantine i would not be mad. This was very well explained thank you aimee.

[@gregoryscott3858]

"All we can do is just marvel at it." Amen to that.

[@JohnWalterJazzPiano]

Lovely. Thanks Aimee. Bill Evans is simply "the man" for me saw him live in London 3 nights running months before he died , and he played a completely different set each night apart from one tune "suicide is painless"

[@AimeeNolte]

John Walter oh wow. That's soooo amazing. That's got to be up high on the best moments of your life list!

[@JohnWalterJazzPiano]

Aimee Nolte . You can't imagine, I was 26 gigging with pop bands but having lessons with any jazz pianist i admired in London whenever I scrabbled some cash together. Then.... A pivotal moment. Never really recovered. 😌

[@bonnybluehare]

How refreshing to find this. It is a rare skill, to speak of music without trampling all over the feelings wrapped up in the notes, to delicately touch the heart of the matter with such grace.

[@AimeeNolte]

Colin Edwards so nice. Thank you.

[@arthurrosch5378]

Aimee, not only is your voice like a dream but your analysis of Bill Evans is astute! Thank you.

[@peterscott6818]

I have loved Blue In Green for forty years or more and shared the reverence you obviously feel for it. I have often wondered what he was doing but don’t have your ears. Thanks for sharing this jewel. It’s a tremendous gift.

[@parkerchace]

Upper extension minimalism!!! Incredible!!! You just blew my mind

[@mjutteau]

His playing on Blue in green is just perfection

[@yassinet.benchekroun5087]

I love the way you put yourself in his shoes !!! "You would think I'd go for five notes? no, just two simple notes, because I am Bill Evans" Awesome!!!!

[@AimeeNolte]

Yassine Taoudi that's like my main thing in life! Put yourself in someone else's shoes. ❤️🙌🏼 Thank you.

[@JonnyMay]

Very well explained.

[@bsykesbeats4013]

9:12 You DO do it justice! So good.

[@eph1223]

Blue in Green makes me cry. It's just that beautiful. Thanks for the great breakdown of Bill Evans' chords.

[@stenic2]

I discovered Bill Evans this summer and found a new music world to enjoy

[@leslieackerman4189]

Amazing job. Such simple conception yet no one has done such marvelous lectures before. You have a new fan!

[@cropotkin]

You know and feel the truth in this, and now we know and feel even more than we did. You are beautiful.

[@vusisindane]

"All you need to do is just marvel at it”... right?? What a genius Bill Evans was. Thank you for this magnificent video.

[@MFSpaceboy]

Tears. So beautiful.

[@tongateachesmusic]

Really enjoyed watching your analysis and hearing your excitement unfold along the way! I definitely resonate with Evans' playing like that too. Also, excellent touch on the piano!

[@pixelatedparcel]

Wow, I feel privileged to have watched this...Such a beautiful spirit sharing this insight into his playing...Thank you so much for this!

[@IsothermeMusic]

Not only is this fine analysis, but I can also feel your love for Bill’s genius just as I possess. 💙💙 Thank you.

[@jesseimpersonal]

Bill Evans knocks me out - great video, love your singing over those great changes, wonderful.

[@danielbrett1750]

Discovering Aimee Nolte, discovering Bill Evans, what a great start to the day, so glad I’ve found your video’s, thanks for doing what you do! X

[@astral_drive]

very cool stuff.calmly explained and thoughtfully revealed without ego. thanks aimee.

I love Bill Evans both very early on and later. Now I understand why. Thank you! Stan Kenton too. He had the big band behind those crazy chords.

[@FunkadelicPancho]

Imo the most beautiful piano piece ever written. I love it, thank you for making this

[@jeffreyhillmeyer3391]

Just want to say I love discovering your breakdown of Bill Evans. He has become my all-time favorite pianist of any genre because he seems to have crossed all boundaries. He also seemed to be very selfless in his playing when in his trios, even in driving the melody. Aimee, aside from your obvious attractive qualities, I really appreciate you showing us this and it makes me want to play the piano! Thanks again!

[@lukefitzpatrick398]

Great, great video. I loved how you focused on the small, subtle details of one section.

[@SilasHaslam]

Thank you for a great analysis. Evans's "touches" are indeed some of the most beautiful and soothing music.

[@dasglasperlenspiel10]

Excellent, excellent appreciation of one of our most talented American musicians! Thank you very much!

[@DavidHongMD]

Beyond my description. You have your own color that makes Bill Evans's music profound and abundant! Outstanding talent!

[@bryanwehmeyer]

Awesome, Aimee. I've listened to this song a gazillion times without ever appreciating those voicings. You've got a great channel.

[@samueljorge6657]

That's so beautiful !!! bring more Bill Evans for us, please

[@dstrongcrowe432strong6]

Bill Evans-pure genius!! Unparalleled in harmonic depth!

[@teflo2]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for this awesome lesson on a classic!

[@qg4091]

Wow! This analysis allows me to enjoy the song so much more!

[@malfisher4326]

An excellent lesson, Aimee. Thank you so much.

[@PagerNinerTwelve]

Your enthusiasm is infectious.

[@atlantargh]

you are an incredibly gifted teacher. Thank you for these videos. Made me appreciate B.E. even more.

[@jimfox9577]

I don't understand a bit of this, but somehow I love it that you all can deconstruct why Bill Evans sounds so uniquely beautiful. Every time I listen to Bill Evans I wonder how I can recognize him. Thank you Aimee.

[@WarrenByrdSpeak]

Nice. One of my all-time favorite musical moments...also, his 1st solo directly after Miles solo--ahhh(a tear...)...

[@robertdouglassim7715]

All I can say, Aimee, is "thank you". What makes Bill Evans such a great artist is his endless and original creativity, as you illustrate. I think we see that when we listen to him playing songs (eg 'My Foolish Heart'): he never plays the same part of the verse/chorus the same way twice.

[@ismaelbelda1]

Very very nice video. You have a wonderful gift for explaining these things and make them moving and thrilling.

[@RanBlakePiano]

Aimee Last summer at age 86. I recorded time remembered on you tube .it brought back so many memories of my 1958 studies with him . I write about Meryd n rmacy bu.t can t describe my worship of a Musical as you do Your thoughts ,oral prose ,inspiration you convey is. Fantastic So many thanks from all of us

[@CarlosMurgueitio]

Aimee, thanks for making this world a much better place with your wisdom and knowledge. I have been looking for a long time for an explanation of jazz and Bill's style and these are fantastic. Much love from Ecuador.

[@drsentell]

gave me chill bumps! I said "that sounds like Blue N Green" ...I sure am fond of you and your style Aimee...thanks!

[@alansenzaki4609]

im not a musician but that has always been my favorite song on the album. now i can understand its simplicity everytime i listen to it. thank you.

[@ryanglover1940]

New subscriber. I've been trying to figure this out on guitar for ages. Your capacity informs and enriches my playing. Thank You!

[@liamsambrook3057]

You have such a kind quality to your voice it has maid my morning thank you

[@gerredy]

Aimee I loved this video on my favourite piece of music, you’re a gift to the world

[@AllIn1Studio]

Your commentary is adorable, your gift undeniable!

[@frederickjbuluhluh8414]

This was awesome, Aimee, thank you!

[@arthurrosch5378]

I just gave a listen to Blue and Green as I was in the ..ahem..right state of mind. Aimee, this piece retains its splendor, there is no other word for such a reflective masterpiece. What beautiful music!

[@richard9480]

Simply brilliant, Aimee. I am learning to play Bill Evans thanks to the availability of his many piano transcriptions on the net and this tutorial here really is helpful in understanding how his music is put together. I love his music and your description of the "pain"in that F 7th chord is so exquisitely told. Thanks again for another wonderful lesson.

[@AimeeNolte]

Richard Lovegrove i'm so glad you enjoyed it, Richard thank you so much.

[@JohnWalterJazzPiano]

Beautifully explained . I look forward to more.

[@Lucianoq]

Thank you. Very well elxplained. I'm beginning to look into Bill Evans and this helped me a lot.

[@nelson41205]

I'm a guitarist and I found it's really helpful! It really dig in the secret of Bill Evans. And seriously, that C and D with Evans's hands made my day! Thank very much!

[@albertolorusso]

PRICELESS PRICELESS PRICELESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! Fantastic tutorial, again another tutorial from your heart! Thanks for sharing it!!!

[@AimeeNolte]

Alberto Lorusso thanks so much! Glad you liked it!

[@joseavilaize]

Aimee, thank you so much for your beautiful spirit and beautiful explanation.

[@MartinFritter]

Yes, the minimalism of Evans. Fantastic analysis. A key that opens the door. Thanks you so much.

[@lewismartiniello9441]

Was very cool. Thanks Aimee. So much I want to tackle - hope am up for it.

[@sluggo6397]

Aimee, you are a treasure. Please keep the videos coming!

[@AimeeNolte]

Sluggo63 so nice of you to say

[@wilkesta]

Great insights Aimee! Bill Evans invented and perfected this form. Well explained.

[@unicorn_tears]

Thank you for this! I adore Bill Evans and Blue in Green is my favorite of his repertoire. I really appreciate you taking your time to do this. Just subscribed to your channel.

[@gordonwong4375]

AMAZING! I've been looking for an explanation of Bill Evans playing for a while. I can't even comprehend the genius of his playing. Thanks Aimee!!

[@AimeeNolte]

Gordon Wong i'm so glad it was helpful, Gordon! Thanks for the feedback.

[@joeblakeukeman]

That was delightful, on several levels! Although you claimed you don’t do it justice, Aimee, I disagree. You treat this so lovingly, appreciatively, plus you allow us to see into Bill Evans’ mind, an intimate glimpse, beautiful! I’m heading off to hear it! Bless you Xx

[@LisaKatoFitchett]

I love this analysis! Beautiful singing and playing demonstration as well. . . I am enjoying your videos. . Thank you!

[@victoryamauchi4709]

Aimee, I cannot thank you enough for making Bill Evans alive to me again. Always liked his sense of style but since I haven't listened to an LP for many years, he was lost in a thick cover of dust. New amp and your YT vids, he fills my living room once again. Thank you!

[@victoryamauchi4709]

Aimee Nolte... Peace Piece... OMG

[@santiagovalenciamusic]

Thank you for this. Always a pleasure to listen to you.

[@nicholasr6381]

Hi Aimee, thankyou for explaining these wonder chords.

[@hgn2217]

Having listen to Bill Evans music, I like it very much. Your analysis of his composition makes it intelligible and more appreciation to his style. I played some passages of his tunes by reading the transcriptions, but could not remember them. Now your explanation makes the transcriptions clearer without adding the implied notes from Bill Evens. I would play them again and this time knowing the hidden notes, the intentional voicing, it would be easier to play and internalize. Your lovely voice and style definitely helped. Aimée, Many thanks.

[@polkmusic]

I am a big Bill Evans fan. Love his music. Thanks for sharing this.

[@AimeeNolte]

Jay Polk me too! Thanks so much for watching.

[@parlomur7515]

Thank you for your gift " Blue In Green ". This afternoon I am on my piano. I have the chance to play on a Steinway and Sons. It is perfect for Bill Evans...It's new for me but to sing as you on the melody, that help me for the sensibility. Now "Killing me softly" and "Have you Met Miss Jones" are in my hands. I know a lot of channels but yours is really original and creative. " Un enchantement ".

[@esotericist]

I recognised that as soon as you started. Love Bill Evans.

[@chrismcdermott7766]

Wonderful,Wonderful. Been playing that tune for 30 years and it never fails to show something new. Thank you for your insight! I'd love to hear your analysis of Flamenco sketches.

[@jeffreymassey5541]

Beautiful comping by Bill on this beautiful tune. BILL new he was comping for the gentle side of Miles with that harmon mute. 🎶🎹🎺🎵🎷👍🏾

[@quinto34]

Love Bill Evans, especially his Riverside period, very interesting, thanks a bunch!

[@alansenzaki4609]

quinto34 my favorite period too. partly because of the great engineering of bill schwartau and ray fowler. i love rudy van gelder but his addition of putting that chamois cloth into the piano hole and adding reverb changed his sound and made it more brittle and hard.

[@martinhollreiser2662]

This is great. I love Bill Evans and your explanations are excellent.

[@eltacrash]

Loooove that intro! One of my fav's! It's just perfect! Thank you Aimee for this! :D

[@martialway100]

Nice tutorial. :-) The F7 chord in bar 8 in the II V I progression is really just the b9 11 13 based on F7, but it is also a Bb augmented triad in root position (there are other names for it too i.e. 2nd inversion of the D augmented triad, Gm #7 omitting the root, etc.. Bill Evans was one of the greats of Jazz piano and is my favourite jazz pianist. A real shame that he died so young, but what a legacy to leave for aspiring jazz pianists. Gone, but never forgotten. There's a great black and white vid. of him on You Tube with his brother, where he explains that it's better to write something simpler that you really understand, rather than sometimes attempting more complex solos, which meander into aimless ramblings. Of course, the free jazz / avant garde vanguard e.g. Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, etc. ironically were doing exactly that, by breaking new ground and shattering convention with the freedom of unconventional harmonies/structure, dissonance, atonality, chaotic solos, etc.. I actually like the free jazz guys and I saw Cecil play at Ronnie Scotts approx. 20 years ago. The audience talked loudly throughout his entire set, without any appreciation for his work whatsoever. It was upsetting to see such a great Jazz pianist treated like that by those philistines. Around the same time in 1997, I actually phoned up Ornette Coleman and spoke to him about licensing some of his free jazz material from the late 60s/early 70s. He was a nice guy and was open to the idea, but did not like the 'free jazz' label ascribed to his music. To him it was just 'Jazz'. Very sad to hear that he passed in 2015, but if there is a heaven, then think of the band permutations e.g. Jimmy Hendrix , Bill Evans (p), John Coltrane/Ornette Coleman (s), Jaco on bass, Beethoven on organ, Mozart on Fender Rhodes, Art Blakey on drums, Sabu on percussion and of course Miles. Now there's a concert worth the entrance fee :-)

[@AimeeNolte]

DJ Vibe 👊🏼👌🏼thx for that. Jealous that you saw C. Taylor!

[@davidmiller564]

Great vid, thanks for the analysis.

[@fivenotechord]

Beautifully heard and conveyed

[@ebillyboijohnson714]

Wonderful explanation the beauty is not lost.. Evans lives

[@willjsoden]

I was hoping you'd get to Bill Evans! As someone who isn't even below average yet, his work is a huge motivator. So soft and beautiful and you've shown me how he does it. Can't wait for more.

[@AimeeNolte]

SodaPopSD - 🙌🏼🙏🏼

[@ArgoBeats]

Bill Evans: the master of emotional jazz. Beautiful investigation, Aimee.

[@SpiroJildeh]

Great lesson! Can you do more of bill analysis?? Please 😊

[@AimeeNolte]

Spero Jildeh of course. Soon.

[@afrodiameter]

I love this! When's Part Two coming? Looking forward to it.

[@jayjay2099]

Thanks! That's my favourite tune.

[@brianj4090]

What a lovely voice to learn from, great video, subscribed

[@gtberg]

Great analysis Aimee! I love Bill more and more, and I still don't understand how he pulls these chords off with just 2 notes with some of his choices. Sounds amazing.

[@hodah]

So glad I found your videos! This is great. love the subtle Holiday Inn promo :)

[@pauloletroquer9231]

Aimee you are awesome!

[@AlfaAxel]

Wow so beautiful! The melody starts on a'' of the beginning Dmi.

[@MynZnusz]

Fantastic! You're the best!

[@TheMitchellHarris]

Lovely- I could listen insightful funny analysis all day 😊 thanks

[@mikereali6215]

Great Aimee keep up the great r!

[@barrymileso]

Nice analysis of the jazz pianist's all-time-favorite jazz pianist. I enjoyed your singing too!

[@AimeeNolte]

Barry Miles thank you, Barry.

[@k.scotsparks9247]

EXCELLENT work. Thanks!

[@rickspyder1]

you are the best ... you make music study with heart and passion

[@AimeeNolte]

Rick Spyder thank you so much for saying so, Rick.

[@Pat52786]

I love piano players that love bill evans because all of us know and feel why he was so good especially with voicings, thank for your post and dont stop cause if you ever want to take apart his version of “emily” which im sure youve seen on here. His choices are so like pure or something, thanks for the post, very informative 👍

[@NicholasStein]

I played the song at the place you wanted to play it for me, and I heard it. I pointed and sang the first couple of bars of Miles and I heard Bill's comping better. What a beautiful experience.