Jazz Up Your January

Four weeks. Four jazz records. Four artists. My only self-imposed rule is that the lead musician for each feature will be on a different instrument. 

Today:

The artist: Gil Evans
Weapon of choice: Piano
Recorded: November–December 1960
Released: February 1961
Album: Out of the Cool

Gil Evans arranged for Charlie Parker, contributed to the musical evolution of (and also arranged for) Miles Davis, played with, like many others, Elvin Jones and Ron Carter, but also everyone from Jaco Pastorius to Sting. Evans was even planning to work with Jimi Hendrix before the guitarist passed away. Although his name may not be culturally ubiquitous, the guy was a legend in the jazz world. 

One of the first releases on the now iconic Impulse! label, Out of the Cool chronologically falls somewhere in the middle of all of the above. Musically, it showcases Evans' legacy as one of the genre's great orchestrators and genius thinkers. At times spacious, others grandiose, elsewhere sultry, Out of the Cool perfectly encapsulates Evans and what is dubbed progressive big band.