Bill Evans performed at La Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France: Photos, Videos

On July 16, 1978, pianist Bill Evans performed at La Grande Parade du Jazz in Nice, France. He was backed by Marc Johnson on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums.

The trio played four songs before being joined by baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams for two more. The performance was captured by République Française TV. The group played outdoors and yet, as you’ll hear, they were miked so artfully that the music sounds as if it was recorded in a studio.

Pianist Dave Thompson informed me that much of the broadcast went up on YouTube less than a month ago. Dave is a fabulous pianist and will be guest artist at the University of Akron Jazz Festival in Ohio from March 19 to 21. Dave will be playing three days of Bill Evans concerts and workshops, including performances with trio and with the jazz orchestra/big band. Dave has written arrangements of Evans’s tunes for the big band concert. Or if you’re in Chicago, Dave will be at Pianoforte of Chicago on April 14 for an afternoon of Bill Evans’s music.

Here’s the Bill Evans Trio al fresco in 1978, with Pepper Adams on two of the songs:

Midnight Mood…

Turn Out the Stars…

Minha…

My Romance…

I Love You, with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams…

Three Little Words with Adams…