Is Great Jazz Standards a good place to start with Gil Evans?

Yes, Great Jazz Standards is recommended as a starting point for new Gil Evans listeners. Innovative orchestral arrangements breathe new life into classic jazz standards with lush textures and intricate harmonies. When 'Great Jazz Standards' was released in September 1959, Gil Evans had already established himself as a key figure in the jazz scene, particularly through his collaboration with Miles Davis on 'Birth of the Cool'. This album marked a continuation of his exploration of orchestral jazz, showcasing his unique ability to reinterpret well-known compositions through expansive arrangements and innovative instrumentation.

Who is Great Jazz Standards for?

Great Jazz Standards works well if you're into dynamic progression with resolution, lush harmonies for reflective moments and wave-like pacing invites deep listening.

How many songs are on Great Jazz Standards?

Great Jazz Standards has 7 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Great Jazz Standards

Gil Evans · 1959

36 min · 7 tracks · jazz

Innovative orchestral arrangements breathe new life into classic jazz standards with lush textures and intricate harmonies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Davenport Blues Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Straight, No Chaser — Evans transforms this Thelonious Monk classic into a rich tapestry of sound, blending harmonies that showcase both complexity and accessibility.
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Django — This track captures Evans' signature style by melding lyrical beauty with intricate orchestration, paying homage to the original while expanding its emotional depth.
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Ballad of the Sad Young Men — With its haunting arrangement, this piece exemplifies Evans’ ability to evoke profound emotion, transforming a simple melody into an atmospheric journey.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Innovative orchestral arrangements breathe new life into classic jazz standards, showcasing intricate harmonies and textures.

What we noticed

The album features orchestral arrangements that layer brass and woodwinds, creating a rich texture that enhances the original melodies of the standards.
The arrangement of 'Chant of the Weed' includes call-and-response sections between instruments, adding a conversational quality to the performance.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic progression with resolution
lush harmonies for reflective moments
wave-like pacing invites deep listening
innovative arrangements spark curiosity

Maybe skip if you

seekers of instant gratification
prefer standalone single tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Innovative arrangements marked a significant artistic achievement in Evans' career.
Career context: When 'Great Jazz Standards' was released in September 1959, Gil Evans had already established himself as a key figure in the jazz scene, particularly through his collaboration with Miles Davis on 'Birth of the Cool'. This album marked a continuation of his exploration of orchestral jazz, showcasing his unique ability to reinterpret well-known compositions through expansive arrangements and innovative instrumentation.
Stylistic neighbors: Miles Davis· Charles Mingus· Ornette Coleman