Is Quintessence a good place to start with Bill Evans?

Yes, Quintessence is recommended as a starting point for new Bill Evans listeners. A delicate interplay of melodic lines and intricate harmonies creates a meditative atmosphere throughout the album. Released in 1976, Quintessence was Bill Evans' first studio album after a significant hiatus from recording due to personal struggles. At this point, he was re-establishing his presence in the jazz world, following the acclaimed album The Bill Evans Album from 1971. This album marked a return to form, showcasing his evolving artistry while retaining his signature style.

Who is Quintessence for?

Quintessence works well if you're into long, immersive listening sessions, reflective and contemplative moods and steady, consistent energy levels.

How many songs are on Quintessence?

Quintessence has 6 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Quintessence

Bill Evans · 1976

43 min · 6 tracks · jazz

A delicate interplay of melodic lines and intricate harmonies creates a meditative atmosphere throughout the album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Sweet Dulcinea Blue Start here — This opening track sets the tone with its lush harmonies and introspective melodies, encapsulating Evans' lyrical approach to piano.
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A Child Is Born — The poignant arrangement of this standard highlights Evans' ability to evoke deep emotion through subtle phrasing and dynamic contrasts.
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Bass Face — Featuring an engaging dialogue between piano and bass, this track showcases the collaborative spirit that defines much of Evans' work.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Quintessence showcases intricate melodies and harmonies, establishing a meditative atmosphere throughout.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of intricate piano melodies that intertwine with subtle bass lines, creating a layered texture.
Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, allowing for extended improvisation and exploration of themes.
The final track concludes with a gentle fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of introspection.

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

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

long, immersive listening sessions
reflective and contemplative moods
steady, consistent energy levels
layered, dense sonic textures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks a return for Evans after a hiatus, showcasing his continued artistry.
Career context: Released in 1976, Quintessence was Bill Evans' first studio album after a significant hiatus from recording due to personal struggles. At this point, he was re-establishing his presence in the jazz world, following the acclaimed album The Bill Evans Album from 1971. This album marked a return to form, showcasing his evolving artistry while retaining his signature style.
Stylistic neighbors: Chick Corea· Keith Jarrett· Herbie Hancock