TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp on Jazz.
To hear how three instruments can truly breathe, listen to the Bill Evans Trio, especially with Scott LaFaro on bass and Paul Motian on drums. This ensemble wasn’t just a typical piano-led group; each musician contributed equally.
Bill Evans’ delicate, introspective piano style, inspired by classical composers, LaFaro revolutionized the role of the bass, playing with stunning agility and melodic freedom. Motian’s drumming was about color and feel more than keeping time.
Their 1961 recordings at the Village Vanguard—Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby—set a new standard for jazz trios: improvisational, responsive, and emotionally rich.
Tragically, LaFaro passed away just days after these sessions, but this trio reshaped the sound of jazz ensembles to be sensitive and perfectly balanced.
This has been Rapp on Jazz, co-produced by ColaJazz and South Carolina Public Radio, made possible by the ETV Endowment of South Carolina.