Professional musicians have done some fine work in exploring Evans� compositional

designs, but the voluminous detail and in-depth analysis of master pianist-composer
Jack Reilly, is by far the most comprehensive work done yet, as evidenced by his
�Harmony of Bill Evans, Volume I� (Hal Leonard Corporation, 1993) and the new book
you are now reading. Rarely, if ever, have Evans compositions been dissected as
they are here, in such an exciting, instructional context. A classical and jazz
musician and teacher himself with impressive credentials, Jack�s analyses of Evans
favorites like �Only Child�, �My Bells� and later compositions like the lyrical
�Laurie� and the exquisite, valedictorian statement �Your Story� are superb. Mr.
Reilly illustrates, by taking us through the voicings, as well as four-part
reductions, analyses of patterns and clearly annotated commentaries � how and why
Bill�s harmonies evolved, how they proceed from the melodic content or vice versa,
how he used chromatic regions, modal and scalar devices, figured bass, diatonic
alterations and other methods. While he is at it, Mr. Reilly dismantles Evans�
musical �toolbox�, to better see just what�s inside, and how it all works together.

If pianists are patient and take the time to systematically explore the riches of
this new study, great vistas for understanding harmonic principles are possible on
their own intrinsic merits. But being that this a book about the work of one of the
last century�s greatest musicians, one also gleans new revelations on just how Bill
Evans the composer was able to create the magic he did.

This is a valuable work that will be studied for years to come. For the serious
musician, or just the curious-yet-committed student of theory, it just doesn�t get
much better than that.

It�s a simple matter of conviction.