FICTIONARY

Bill Evans
Fictionary
Sienna
Lincoln Reviews His Notes
Hard Eights
Something Left Unsaid
Trio #1
Where Are You From Today
Trio #2
Falling Grace
On The Other Hand

PLAYERS: Lyle Mays (p), Marc Johnson (b), Jack DeJohnette (d)

REFLECTIONS

LYLE: In a way, Fictionary is a sort of tribute album to the pianists that have had the greatest impact on my playing, (Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and Paul Bley were singled out). I guess they are my favorites because they move me, (first and foremost), but also because of the level of conception and execution. Again, style has nothing to do with it.

MARC JOHNSON: This was a piano trio project with Jack DeJohnette on drums. Our affinity with the music of pianist Bill Evans is front and center on this recording. I was intrigued by some of the structures Lyle presented for this project in terms of combining composition and improvisation in ways that would at times blur the lines between what was composed and what was improvised.  Also, some of the forms like the title track are a hallmark of Lyle’s;  an insistence on creating unconventional forms to improvise on.  Always a challenge and always taking me out of my comfort zone.  I enjoyed every minute of it.