Bill Evans and the Spykillers with Wolfgang Haffner will tour in the summer 2023. We will have the great Max Mutzke as a guest on some of the shows as well as our good friend and amazing vocalist Thomas Quasthoff. We are honored ! We will have more surprise guests as it all comes together . Stay Tuned !
Me and Max Mutzke at the Wolfgang Haffner Nurenberg Super show 2019.
The new record myself and Robben Ford recorded is finally out !! I’m very proud of this CD. It features Keith Carlock and Darryl Jones …( Steely Dan and the Rolling Stones are just a few of the bands they play with ) This music also features one of my favorite singers on the planet, Max Mutzke from Germany. He is truly amazing !!
Bill Evans and the Spykillers! with Wolfgang Haffner featuring Simon Oslender and Gary Grainger - Live at the New Morning Club in Paris France, July 17th 2019.
This video was filmed in July of 2019 at the “New Morning“ Club in Paris. It really captured the moment for us. We had been touring for a few weeks and were ready to do this live video. The connection between all of us on stage was very rewarding. I first started playing with Wolfgang Haffner on a tour he did with Randy Brecker, myself and the Soulbop Band around 2008. He is one of the great drummers in the world. Simon Oslender represents the new breed of young and super talented players coming up. Gary Grainger has a feel on bass that is just amazing.
People waiting in line outside of the “ New Morning “ jazz club in Paris where we recorded the Video above. Spykillers! Live in Paris. July 2019.
August 5, 2019
Robben Ford and Bill Evans “Soulgrass meets Blues”
I’ve been listening to Robben Ford for years. Literally. As a fan of his playing, I’m just as big a fan of his writing and singing. Certain players just blend well together on different levels. It was a pleasure to join forces back in 2010 for a big tour of summer festivals and it has been a joy to record with Robben again these past 2 years. With the summer tour 2020 moved to 2021, we will have 2 “live” studio releases out in the world as well. Tour 2021 is called “Blues, Miles and Beyond“ … stay tuned! I can’t wait It will also feature Wolfgang Haffner and Gary Grainger.
Dennis Chambers and I go back to the late 1980’s. We recorded one of my first live albums, called “Petite Blonde“ with Victor Bailey, Mitchel Forman and Chuck Loeb. Great friends and great band. RIP Chuck and Victor. You left us too soon! We miss you guys always.
It took us almost 28 years for Dennis and I to play together again under the “Petite Blonde“ moniker (we have done countless gigs together but not under the “Petite Blonde“ flag). This tour, in 2017, featured the great guitarist Ulf Wakenius and bassist Gary Grainger.
Gary and Dennis have a history that goes back to their childhoods. When they play together the groove is very special and SO much fun to play and improvise with.
Warren Haynes Xmas Jam 2011. Myself , Jimmy Herring , Bela Fleck and guests. I like this version of Soulgrass.
DETAILED TRACK INFORMATION OF “RISE ABOVE“
1) “RIGHT LADY” 5:13 (Evans/JJ Grey) JJ and Bill spar, jab and move on this track. It’s a crowd favorite at live performances
2) “RISE ABOVE” 7:04 (Evans/Haynes) A rocking melody with lyrics that tell a story everyone can relate too. Lead vocals by Warren Haynes, who also takes a remarkable steel guitar solo. This track was recorded live in studio.
3) “LOVE GAME” 5:20 (Evans/Coryell) A hard rock groove sung by Murali Coryell. Guitar solo by Mike Stern. I have a long and great history with Mike, he and I performed and recorded together with Miles Davis.
4) “LOVE IS WORKING OVER TIME” 3:58 (Evans) This song was written for Gregg Allman, and the lyrics reflect an autobiographical story about Gregg, as sung by Gregg. He sings it with that truly identifiable voice. The narrative at the end of the song was spontaneous and totally unique.
5) “EVERYBODY’S LOOKIN’‘” 7:02 (Evans/Coryell) This song was written during a concert! Murali Coryell added some lyrics and sang the lead; it’s a tune you can’t get out of your head. Sorry about that.
6) “SLOW ROLLIN’ RIDE” 3:37 (Evans/Osborne) Anders is one of my favorite singers and this tune is a soulful story of relationships. The incredible groove comes by way of “The Madness” himself, Joe Russo.
7) “TALES OF A SHINY DEVIL” 6:11 (Evans) Jake Cinninger crushed the guitar solo on this. I’ve used this song many a time this year as an encore.
8) “STRANGE NEIGHBORS” 5:53 (Evans/Dion) Josh Dion sings this haunting rock ballad as only he can do – with soulful depth and grit.
9) “THEM CHANGES” 6:15 (Buddy Miles/Widespread Panic) On this classic tune by Buddy Miles, I incorporated a groove written by the band Widespread Panic to create an intensely infectious groove for Josh Dion to sing over.
10) “EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE” 3:54 (Evans) I sang this story about life’s tensions. During concerts I get a thousand people to sing the hook with me.
Soulgrass - an organic blend of Jazz, Bluegrass and Soul, as played by saxophone, banjo, violin, bass and drums - and sometimes mandolin!
I love to sit in and play with different bands of all genres, whether it’s one song or most of the set. In the past , I’ve had countless sit ins with Willie Nelson, The Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule, Tedeschi Trucks Band, you name it. It’s all fun. I have a very short attention span, so playing different types of music works for me. I’d get bored any other way.
One of my favorite bands is Umphreys Mcgee. Very innovative and exciting to listen too and play with.
VIDEO: BILL EVANS & PUSH – LA DI DA (LIVE IN EUROPE 1996)
Went deep down the YouTube rabbit hole and found this classic –
In support of the album Escape, this video was recorded during a 7 week tour of Europe in 1996.
The Band was:
Bill Evans : sax
Ron Jenkins : bass
Henry Hey : keys
Billy Kilson : drums
Nick Morock : guitar
Manolo Badrena : percussion
Ahmed Best : vocals