Afterglow Jazz and American Popular Song

The Last Waltz: The Final Recordings of Bill Evans

This week on Afterglow the final recordings of pianist Bill Evans made are featured.

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Bill Evans The Last Waltz Album Cover

Photo: Album Cover

Bill Evans recorded these songs a week before his death in 1980.

This week on Afterglow we’ll feature some of the final recordings that pianist Bill Evans made, just a week before his death at the age of 51 in 1980, as well as selections from singer Mel Torme’s classic album Swings Shubert Alley.

Other artists on the program include Shelly Manne, Frank Sinatra with Count Basie, Nicholas Payton, and Clifford Jordan.

Music Heard On This Episode

My Man's Gone Now
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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My Man's Gone Now
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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Too Darn Hot
Mel Torme — Swings Shubert Alley (Verve, 1960)
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Lover Come Back to Me
Cassandra Wilson — Loverly (Blue Note)
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Drucilla
Nicholas Payton — Into the Blue (Nonesuch, 2008)
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The Good Life
Frank Sinatra/Count Basie — Nothing But the Best (Reprise)
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Invitation
Hadley Caliman — Gratitude (Origin, 2008)
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Old Devil Moon
Mel Torme — Swings Shubert Alley (Verve, 1960)
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Afrodesia
Shelly Manne — The West Coast Sound (Contemporary, 1953)
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Nardis
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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Knit for Mary F
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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Yet Ne'er Broken
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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No More
Clifford Jordan — The Adventurer (32 Jazz, 1978)
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Too Close for Comfort
Mel Torme — Swings Shubert Alley (Verve, 1960)
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Once in Love With Amy
Mel Torme — Swings Shubert Alley (Verve, 1960)
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Embraceable You
Louis Smith — Smithville (Blue Note, 1958)
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As Long As I Live
Lena Horne — The Young Star (Bluebird, 1944)
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I Do It for Your Love
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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Letter to Evan
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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34 Skidoo
Bill Evans — The Last Waltz (Milestone, 1980)
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Lonely Town
Mel Torme — Swings Shubert Alley (Verve, 1980)
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Giant's Gentle Stride
Norma Winstone — Distances (ECM, 2008)
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David Brent Johnson

Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, David Brent Johnson moved to Bloomington in 1991. He is an alumnus of Indiana University, and began working with WFIU in 2002. Currently, David serves as jazz producer and systems coordinator at the station. His interests include literature, history, music, writing, and movies.

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