Bill Evans: How My Heart Sings

by Peter Pettinger (Author)

“Pettinger . . . has thoroughly researched Evans's life, reading the available literature and tracking down the pianist's associates for commentary, and he has listened assiduously to the Evans catalog, which is no small feat given its enormousness.”—Adam Bresnick, Wall Street Journal

“[A] fine new biography . . . packed with . . . shrewd critical commentary.”—Terry Teachout, New York Times Book Review

“Peter Pettinger sets out to catalog and explain Evans' wide-ranging genius. . . . The making of every important Evans recording is discussed, and as he follows the extreme ups and downs of a career vexed by heroin addiction and other problems, Pettinger shows how the personal helped shape the artistic sensitivity of this jazz innovator.”—Tom Moon, Philadelphia Inquirer

A comprehensive biography of the brilliant jazz composer and pianist Bill Evans

This enthralling book is the first biography in English of Bill Evans (1929–1980), one of the most influential of all jazz pianists. Peter Pettinger, himself a concert pianist, describes Evans's life (the personal tragedies and commercial successes), his musicmaking (technique, compositional methods, and approach to group playing), and his legacy. The book also includes a full discography and dozens of photographs.

ISBN: 978-0300097276