Who Is Bill Evans? Age, Biography and Wiki
Bill Evans was born on August 16, 1929, in Plainfield, New Jersey. He was a prominent figure in the jazz scene and is widely celebrated for his innovative approach to piano playing and composition. His method of integrating modal jazz and complex harmonies pushed the boundaries of jazz music. Evans left an indelible mark on the genre before his untimely death on September 15, 1980, at the age of 51. His biography, available on Wikipedia, details his contributions to jazz and personal struggles.
| Occupation | Conductor |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 16, 1929 |
| Age | 51 Years |
| Birth Place | Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Jersey |
| Date of death | 15 September, 1980 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Bill Evans's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While there are no official records of his height and weight, Bill Evans was known for his slim physique, which complemented his delicate yet intricate playing style. Fans often describe him as a gentle spirit, embodying the emotional depth of his music.
At least during his late years, Evans's favorite keys to play in were A and E. Evans greatly valued Bach's music, which influenced his playing style and which helped him gain good touch and finger independence. "Bach changed my hand approach to playing the piano.
I used to use a lot of finger technique when I was younger, and I changed over to a weight technique.
Actually, if you play Bach and the voices sing at all, and sustain the way they should, you really can't play it with the wrong approach." Evans valued Bach's "The Well-Tempered Clavier" and his "Two- and Three-Part Inventions" as excellent practice material.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Bill Evans had several relationships, but perhaps most notable was his long-term partnership with his girlfriend, who supported him through his career. Despite facing numerous personal challenges, including struggles with addiction, Evans maintained close ties with his family. He was deeply influenced by his mother, who was a pianist herself, and he often credited her with sparking his love for music.
Evans grew up in North Plainfield, New Jersey, the son of Harry and Mary Evans. His father was of Welsh descent and ran a golf course; his mother was of Rusyn ancestry and descended from a family of coal miners. The marriage was stormy because of his father's heavy drinking, gambling, and abuse. Bill had a brother, Harry (Harold), two years his senior, with whom he was very close.
Net Worth and Salary
Though Bill Evans passed away in 1980, his legacy has significantly grown over the years. As of 2025, his estate is estimated to be worth millions, largely due to ongoing posthumous album releases, merchandising, and rights to his compositions. His music continues to sell remarkably well, contributing to a stable income stream for his estate.
Career, Business and Investments
Bill Evans is best known for his work on the iconic album “Kind of Blue” with Miles Davis, which is regarded as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. Over his career, he released numerous acclaimed albums, including “Sunday at the Village Vanguard” and “Waltz for Debby.” His innovative ideas in harmony and melody have impacted a generation of musicians. Besides music, Evans was also known for his interest in visual arts, having collected various artworks throughout his life.
In late 1959, Evans left the Miles Davis band and began his career as a leader, forming a trio with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian, a group now regarded as a seminal modern jazz trio.
They recorded two studio albums, Portrait in Jazz and Explorations, and two albums recorded during a 1961 engagement at New York's Village Vanguard jazz club: Sunday at the Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debby. A complete set (on three CDs) of their Vanguard recordings was issued decades later.
However, ten days after this booking ended, LaFaro died in a car crash. After months without public performances, Evans reemerged with a new trio, now featuring Chuck Israels on bass. In 1963, Evans recorded the Grammy Award winning Conversations with Myself, a solo album produced with overdubbing technology.
In 1966, he met bassist Eddie Gómez, with whom he worked for the next 11 years. In the mid-1970s, Evans collaborated with the singer Tony Bennett on two critically acclaimed albums: The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album (1975) and Together Again (1977).
Social Network
Although Bill Evans did not have social media during his lifetime, his legacy thrives on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, through fan pages and music profiles where enthusiasts celebrate and share his work. His influence continues to grow, with discussions and tributes regularly shared online.
Evans remembered Leland with affection for not insisting on a heavy technical approach, with scales and arpeggios. He quickly developed a fluent sight-reading ability, but Leland considered Harry a better pianist. At the age of seven, Bill began violin lessons, and soon also flute and piccolo.
He soon dropped those instruments, but it is believed they later influenced his keyboard style. He later named Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert as composers whose work he often played.
During high school, Evans came in contact with 20th-century music like Stravinsky's Petrushka, which he called a "tremendous experience", and Milhaud's Suite provençale, whose bitonal language he believed "opened him to new things." Around the same time came his first exposure to jazz, when 12 years old he heard Tommy Dorsey and Harry James's band
s on the radio.
At the age of 13, Bill stood in for a sick pianist in Buddy Valentino's rehearsal band, where Harry was already playing the trumpet. Soon he began to perform for dances and weddings throughout New Jersey, playing music like boogie-woogie and polkas for $1 per hour.
Around this time, he met multi-instrumentalist Don Elliott, with whom he later recorded. Another important influence was bassist George Platt, who introduced Evans to the theory of harmony.
Education
Bill Evans studied music at the Five Towns College, followed by a scholarship to the Mannes School of Music in New York. His extensive educational background equipped him with the skills that became foundational in his music career. His dedication to learning and mastery of the piano remains an inspiration to aspiring musicians today.
In summary, Bill Evans remains a colossal figure in jazz music, with his impact felt through countless musicians and fans worldwide. As we look to 2025, his contributions continue to be celebrated and studied, ensuring that this jazz legend's name and music will never fade away.
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, United States, he studied classical music at Southeastern Louisiana College and the Mannes School of Music, in New York City, where he majored in composition and received an artist diploma. In 1955, he moved to New York City, where he worked with bandleader and theorist George Russell.
In 1958, Evans joined Miles Davis's sextet, which in 1959, then immersed in modal jazz, recorded Kind of Blue, the best-selling jazz album of all time.
