The Larry McDonough Aster Sunday Jazz Series presents classic jazz on the first Sunday of the month.

We just lost the amazing Tony Bennett on July 21, 2023. Much has been said about his career but not much about his association with Bill Evans. We will change that.

The Larry McDonough Trio celebrates the two recordings of legendary pianist and composer Bill Evans and vocalist Tony Bennett. Bill Evans rarely performed with singers, so it was big news to some in the jazz community when Evans and Bennett recorded and released “The Tony Bennett Bill Evans Album” in 1975. The album included pieces each had done separately, such as Waltz for Debby (Evans) and The Touch of Your Lips (Bennett). In 1976 they recorded “Together Again” for release in 1977.

Larry McDonough Quintet

Larry McDonough, piano and vocals
Richard Terrill, saxes and poetry
Greg Stinson, bass

Both albums showed Evans’ skill in accompanying a vocalist while adding the complexities that he displayed in his solo and ensemble performances, and exhibited Bennett’s expressive range from bold and commanding to soft and delicate. Unfortunately, the albums flew under the radar screen of the larger jazz scene with the popularity of the jazz fusion of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, Miles Davis, and John McLaughlin.

This is not a traditional “tribute” show where musicians imitate great artists. No one sings like Bennett and no one plays like Evans. Each piece they recorded together will be presented with beginnings similar to the recorded versions, but where they go from there cannot be predicted.

Larry takes on the challenging roles of both Evans and Bennett to educate younger listeners about these great artists and to remind seasoned listeners of this pair who never recorded together again. Evans died in 1980 at age 51. Tony Bennett lived to age 96.

Joining Larry are sax player and award-winning poet Richard Terrill and bassist Greg Stinson. In the first set, they perform a sample of pieces from the two albums, each beginning with just voice and piano and other members of the ensemble joining through the piece. Selections will include The Touch of Your Lips, Some Other Time, My Foolish Heart, Waltz for Debby, Make Someone Happy, You Don’t Know What Love Is, You’re Nearer, and You Must Believe in Spring.

In the second set, they add pieces that Evans and Bennett recorded separately but never together, possibly including As Time Goes By, We Will Meet Again, Detour Ahead, I’ll Be Seeing You, and I Will Say Goodbye. Perhaps Evans and Bennett would have recorded these songs together if Evans had lived longer.

Richard Terrill adds poetry about Bill Evans.

In “You Must Believe in Spring,” you hear what Evans and Bennett did and what might have been.

Music 8-10

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$10 cover charge will be added to your tab.