Bill Evans Trio - The Village Vanguard Sessions (2CD)

All surviving complete performances from the legendary 1961 Village Vanguard sets by the Bill Evans Trio presented in chronological order. It would be the last recording by this formation of the group, with Scott LaFaro on bass, and Paul Motian on drums, as LaFaro died ten days later in a car crash, on July 6, 1961, at the age of twenty-five. Evans, who loved LaFaro's playing, would take a long hiatus before forming a new trio.

All the Vanguard music is informed by an extra sense of discovery, as if the musicians were suddenly aware of what they were on to and were celebrating the achievement. This is music which continues to provoke marvel and endless study. - Penguin Guide To Jazz