My Bill Evans: A Personal Conversation With The Joel Zelnik Trio at Closter Public Library

This timely program is based on the dialogues between Closter residents Joel Zelnik and Bill Evans, a 7 time Grammy Award Winner, at the “Village Gate” during the mid-1960’s. Signature Evans works are performed and Joel plays pieces he enjoys that show the Evans influence.

Joel had the great fortune of playing at the Top of the Gate in NYC during the mid 60’s, on Monday nights. It was on these Mondays that he split sets with the Bill Evans Trio, and his greatness has stayed with Joel right up to the present. Bill said to Joel,”as a musician, it’s not what you play, but how you play it.” Joel has lived that in his own piano playing no matter what style or circumstance....

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This timely program is based on the dialogues between Closter residents Joel Zelnik and Bill Evans, a 7 time Grammy Award Winner, at the “Village Gate” during the mid-1960’s. Signature Evans works are performed and Joel plays pieces he enjoys that show the Evans influence.

Joel had the great fortune of playing at the Top of the Gate in NYC during the mid 60’s, on Monday nights. It was on these Mondays that he split sets with the Bill Evans Trio, and his greatness has stayed with Joel right up to the present. Bill said to Joel,”as a musician, it’s not what you play, but how you play it.” Joel has lived that in his own piano playing no matter what style or circumstance.

Evans, born in Plainfield, NJ, and lived in Closter, NJ during the mid 1970’s, is acknowledged to be the most important innovator of Jazz Piano in the late 20th century. Bill conveyed to Joel a great sense of humor, laughing about their mutual experiences in New Jersey, where they grew up. He was, and is, all that represents timeless art.

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