A lesson in comping from Bill Evans

[alwaysharp]

I've been focusing on my comping a little more lately and it led me to this. Bill's comping during LaFaro's solo is, imo, perfect.

Bill Evans Trio - Gloria's Step (Take 2) - YouTube

[brwnhornet59]

Yeah, Bill was the man!

[Reg]

What about the comping makes it perfect...
His use of lead lines... how he connects the changes
His rhythmic feel, how he implies time and then plays off what he sets up.
His harmonic approach, constant structure and pulling from MM.
His using the concept of building to the point of no comping. Might be more from setting up what's coming. Usually when you just simply keep playing through form... it can become old when the changes are somewhat harmonically full and use MI, along with harmonic rhythm having a mechanical pause. With trio setting, you really need to use all the arranging techniques, or can become tough on audience. With guitar it becomes even more difficult... less options. That's still a great tune... I'll try and call at tonight's gig...Reg

[whatswisdom]

Originally Posted by Reg

That's still a great tune... I'll try and call at tonight's gig...Reg

Gloria's Step is one of my all time faves. Hope you can cover it. Are you broadcasting again?

[Reg]

No... I'm just a working stiff in a penguin suit... but is at Fairmont, one of the better venues in SF.
I will be broadcasting this Monday night, I'm bringing in a Big Band with Greg Yasinitsky on sax from Washington Univ.
It's one of the big bands I work with.... If you've ever played in college big band... you've sent his charts.(Yasinitsky's) He has millions. Should be cool. The rhythm section really gets to play in this band... we make it happen, (or not)... Reg

[JonnyPac]

I love that tune. leaning it last year really helped my MM chops... That B section is amazing.