In case you didn’t know, the year 1959 is generally considered the greatest year in jazz, as in that year there was a surfeit of “classic” albums released, with Kind of Blue, Time Out, Mingus Ah Um and The Shape of Jazz To Come, merely mentioned to prove my point.
Case for more evidence is Bill Evans’ debut album as a leader, just coming off teaming with Miles for the aforementioned Blue session and recording with Davis alumnus Philly Joe Jones on drums and bassist Sam Jones. There are also a handful of solo outings, as Evans essentially debuts his soon to be standard “ Peace Piece” along with his own “Epilogue” and a graceful rendition of “Lucky To Be Me”. He plays peek-a-boo as he keeps up with the Joneses on “Oleo” and gives a hint of bel canto things to come on a hovering read of “Young And Foolish”. No, this is not his definitive trio, but it is a definitive album.