The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is hosting a free panel discussion in collaboration with MOMENT NYC on Saturday, spotlighting the life and legacy of jazz composer Gil Evans. His son, Noah Evans, says the conversation and listening session could be an introduction to Gil Evans but also has something new for enthusiasts.
“The panel will have Stephanie Crease, a Gil biographer. Miles will be one the panel as well, my brother, son number two, and Dave McMullin with the New York Public Library has some archives, which should be exciting because we don’t even know what he has.”
The Evans family recently produced and released Hidden Treasures/Monday Nights, the first new studio Gil Evans Orchestra album in 40 years. The project will eventually be comprised of three volumes spanning the great pianist/arranger’s career.
Miles Evans has an original composition on the album. ‘Moonstruck’ was the last sketch Gil Evans worked on before he passed away in 1988.
“The concept on the first album ‘Hidden Treasures/Monday Nights’ was to basically capture what Gil was doing let’s say in the late to middle 70’s going into the 80’s, ” Evans said. “These are with members of the band going back. Longtime Gil Evans Orchestra members playing the tunes they were playing at the time.
The Gil Evans panel discussion is from 11am to 1pm at the Library for the Performing Arts Vincent Astor Gallery.