Evanessence: Tribute to Bill Evans

Pianist Fred Hersch can hang one more star in the sky for yet another stunning tribute CD that pays homage to one of jazz's defining voices, pianist Bill Evans. After tribs to Billy Strayhorn (Passion Flower), Rodgers and Hammerstein (Plays Rodgers and Hammerstein) and Thelonious Monk (Thelonious), Hersch has covered it all, from sublime balladry to wobbly bebop to pop hits. Evanessence is completely top-shelf material, more physically engaged and full-force than Evans usually was and yet also completely infatuated with the layers of tonal complexity and harmonic heft that mark the original recordings of these compositions. Even "Nardis/Lonely Woman," which veers from Ornette Coleman to Miles Davis, has Evans's colors all over it. Toots Thielmans plays pliant harmonica on three tunes, and vibraphonist Gary Burton gives three tunes extra harmonic and rhythmic dimensions. Hersch is an undisputed giant, and he plays with a breadth of styles that should ensure unlimited appeal to any jazz fan. --Andrew Bartlett