''Moon Beams'' is a 1962 album by

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

musician Bill Evans, and the first trio album recorded by Evans after the death of bassist

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 ...

Music and releases

With

Chuck Israels Charles H. Israels (born August 10, 1936) is an American jazz composer, arranger, and bassist who is best known for his work with the Bill Evans Trio. He has also worked with Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hanco ...

on bass taking the place of LaFaro, Evans recorded several songs during these May and June 1962 sessions. ''Moon Beams'' contains a collection of ballads recorded during this period. The more uptempo tunes were put on '' How My Heart Sings!'' In 2012, Riverside released a new remastered edition which includes three previously unreleased alternative takes. ''Moon Beams'' and ''How My Heart Sings!'' were also released combined as the double album ''The Second Trio''. The woman on the album cover is

Nico Naftiran Intertrade Company limited (NICO) is a Swiss-based subsidiary of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC). NICO is a general contractor for the oil and gas industry. NIOC buys the vast majority of Iran's gasoline imports. NICO is a key pl ...

, who would later achieve recognition as a musical artist herself.

Reception

Writing for

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databa ...

, music critic Thom Jurek wrote of the album "...selections are so well paced and sequenced the record feels like a dream... Moonbeams was a startling return to the recording sphere and a major advancement in his development as a leader."

Track listing

Bonus tracks on 2012 CD reissue:

Personnel

* Bill Evans - piano *

- bass *

Paul Motian Stephen Paul Motian (March 25, 1931 – November 22, 2011) was an American jazz drummer, percussionist, and composer. Motian played an important role in freeing jazz drummers from strict time-keeping duties. He first came to prominence in the ...

- drums

Production

Orrin Keepnews Orrin Keepnews (March 2, 1923 – March 1, 2015) was an American jazz writer and record producer known for founding Riverside Records and Milestone Records, for freelance work, and for his work at other labels. Biography Early life Keepnews ...

- producer *Pete Sahula - photographer *

- photographic model *Ken Deardoff - album design

References

External links

The Bill Evans Memorial Library
{{Authority control 1962 albums Albums produced by Orrin Keepnews Bill Evans albums Riverside Records albums