"Waltz for Debby" is a

jazz standard Jazz standards are musical compositions that are an important part of the musical repertoire of jazz musicians, in that they are widely known, performed, and recorded by jazz musicians, and widely known by listeners. There is no definitive lis ...

composed by pianist

Bill Evans William John Evans (August 16, 1929 – September 15, 1980) was an American jazz pianist and composer who worked primarily as the leader of his trio. His use of impressionist harmony, interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, block ch ...

. He recorded it as a solo piano piece on his album ''

New Jazz Conceptions ''New Jazz Conceptions'' is the debut album by jazz musician Bill Evans, released in 1957 on Riverside Records. History Producer Orrin Keepnews of Riverside Records first determined to record Evans after hearing a tape of his playing. Eleven son ...

'' (1956). Lyrics were written by Gene Lees. "Debby" in the composition's title refers to Evans's niece, Debby Evans. "Waltz for Debby" is known in Swedish by the name "Monicas Vals"; lyrics were written by Beppe Wolgers; and in Finnish by the name "Ankin Valssi"; lyrics were written by Jukka Kuoppamäki.

Awards

* Don Sebesky: Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement (from ''I Remember Bill: The Tribute to Bill Evans'', 1999) *

Gary Burton Gary Burton (born January 23, 1943) is an American jazz vibraphonist, composer, and educator. Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the prevailing two-mallet technique. This approach caused him to be he ...

and

Chick Corea Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea (June 12, 1941 – February 9, 2021) was an American jazz composer, pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and occasional percussionist. His compositions "Spain", " 500 Miles High", "La Fiesta", "Armando's Rhumba", and ...

Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo The Grammy Award for Best Improvised Jazz Solo has been awarded since 1959. Before 1979 the award title did not specify instrumental performances and was presented for instrumental or vocal performances. The award has had several minor name change ...

(from ''The New Crystal Silence'', 2008)

Personnel

On ''

'' (1956): *

–

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keyboa ...

On '' Waltz for Debby'' (1961): *Bill Evans – piano *

Scott LaFaro Rocco Scott LaFaro (April 3, 1936 – July 6, 1961) was an American jazz double bassist known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio. LaFaro broke new ground on the instrument, developing a countermelodic style of accompaniment rather than playing ...

– bass * Paul Motian – drums

Renditions

By Evans

*''

'' (1956) *'' Waltz for Debby'' (1961) (The track also appears on ''

The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 ''The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961'', a three-CD box set released in 2005, marks the first time the entire Bill Evans Trio's complete sets at the Village Vanguard on June 25, 1961 have been released in their entirety (outside of ...

'', along with an alternate take) *'' Know What I Mean?'' (1961,

Cannonball Adderley Julian Edwin "Cannonball" Adderley (September 15, 1928August 8, 1975) was an American jazz alto saxophonist of the hard bop era of the 1950s and 1960s. Adderley is perhaps best remembered for the 1966 soul jazz single "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy", whi ...

with Bill Evans) *'' Waltz for Debby'' (1964, with Monica Zetterlund) *'' You're Gonna Hear From Me'' (recorded 1969, released 1988) *''

The Bill Evans Album ''The Bill Evans Album'' is an album by the jazz pianist Bill Evans, released in 1971. It is his first album to feature all compositions written (or co-written), arranged and performed by Evans. At the Grammy Awards of 1972, ''The Bill Evans Al ...

'' (1972) *''

The Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Album ''The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album'' is a 1975 studio album by singer Tony Bennett, accompanied by pianist Bill Evans. Their second album together, '' Together Again'' was released in 1977. Both albums plus alternate takes and additional track ...

'' (1975, with Tony Bennett) *''

His Last Concert In Germany His or HIS may refer to: Computing * Hightech Information System, a Hong Kong graphics card company * Honeywell Information Systems * Hybrid intelligent system * Microsoft Host Integration Server Education * Hangzhou International School, in ...

'' (recorded 1980, released 1989)

By others

– ''Know What I Mean?'' (1961) * Johnny Hartman - ''

The Voice That Is! ''The Voice That Is!'' is an album by American jazz vocalist Johnny Hartman featuring performances recorded in 1964 for the Impulse! label.

'' (1964)Yanow, S
Allmusic Review
accessed August 10, 2021 * Earl Klugh - ''

Earl Klugh (album) ''Earl Klugh'' is the debut album by jazz guitarist Earl Klugh, released in 1976. Klugh is accompanied by Louis Johnson on bass and Lee Ritenour on guitar. Track listing Personnel Musicians * Earl Klugh – acoustic and electric guitars * Ch ...

'' (1976) *

David Benoit David Bryan Benoit (born August 18, 1953) is an American jazz pianist, composer and producer, based in Los Angeles, California, United States. Benoit has charted over 25 albums since 1980, and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards. He is a ...

- ''This Side Up'' (1985), ''Standards'' (2006) and ''Heroes'' (2008) *

and

– ''The New Crystal Silence'' (2008) *

John McLaughlin John or Jon McLaughlin may refer to: Arts and entertainment * John McLaughlin (musician) (born 1942), English jazz fusion guitarist, member of Mahavishnu Orchestra * Jon McLaughlin (musician) (born 1982), American singer-songwriter * John McLaugh ...

– ''Time Remembered: John McLaughlin Plays Bill Evans'' (1993) *

Oscar Peterson Oscar Emmanuel Peterson (August 15, 1925 – December 23, 2007) was a Canadian virtuoso jazz pianist and composer. Considered one of the greatest jazz pianists of all time, Peterson released more than 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, ...

– ''

Affinity Affinity may refer to: Commerce, finance and law * Affinity (law), kinship by marriage * Affinity analysis, a market research and business management technique * Affinity Credit Union, a Saskatchewan-based credit union * Affinity Equity Partn ...

'' (1962) * Don Sebesky – ''I Remember Bill: The Tribute to Bill Evans'' (1999) * Ralph Towner – '' Open Letter'' (1991) * Ellyn Rucker - ''This Heart of Mine'' (1989)

Notes

External links

"Waltz for Debby"
at ''jazzstandards.com'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Waltz For Debby (Song) 1956 songs 1950s jazz standards Songs with lyrics by Gene Lees