Bill Evans
The Gov, 59 Port Road, 5007 Hindmarsh Kort
lau. 03.10.2026 19:30
Few musicians can say they helped shape one of the most important comeback chapters in modern jazz history. Fewer still can say they did it at 22 years of age.This October, legendary saxophonist Bill Evans, the fiery, genre-crossing voice behind Miles Davis’ 1980s resurgence returns to Australia with a world-class band featuring drummer Keith Carlock, bassist Pablo Contreras and keyboardist George Whitty.Born in Illinois and schooled in both classical piano and Chicago’s deep jazz lineage, Evans cut his teeth studying with Bunky Green before moving to New York in 1979, immersing himself in loft sessions and sharpening the improvisational edge that would soon catch Miles Davis’ ear. At just 22, Evans joined Davis’ band and became a key figure in the trumpeter’s early-80s revival, performing on landmark releases including The Man With The Horn, We Want Miles, Star People and Decoy. He was instrumental in assembling that era’s formidable lineup, bringing in names such as Mike Stern, Marcus Miller and John Scofield.Since then, Evans has carved out a fiercely individual career, touring and recording with Herbie Hancock, John McLaughlin, Willie Nelson, Mick Jagger and The Allman Brothers Band, among many others. His own projects number in the dozens too, from the Grammy-nominated Soul Insider to Soulgrass, a bold and joyful fusion of jazz and bluegrass featuring Béla Fleck, Sam Bush and Bruce Hornsby.Joining Evans on this tour is one of the most respected drummers in contemporary music, Keith Carlock. Known for his work with Steely Dan, Toto, Sting, John Mayer and James Taylor, Carlock was voted Best Pop, Fusion and All-Around Drummer in Modern Drummer’s 2009 Readers Poll and is widely regarded as one of the most versatile players of his generation.On bass, Pablo Contreras is a rising force on the international scene whose fluid, groove-driven style has seen him perform across Latin America, the United States and Europe. A first-place winner at New York’s International Solo Bass Competition, Contreras has worked alongside a wide range of acclaimed artists and was personally invited by Bill Evans to join his touring band in 2025, bringing a dynamic, modern edge to the quartet’s already formidable musical chemistry.On keys, George Whitty brings a staggering resume that includes collaborations with Santana, Herbie Hancock, the Brecker Brothers, Chaka Khan and Celine Dion, alongside a catalogue of Grammy-winning productions and an Emmy Award for composition. Whitty’s harmonic depth and textural command make him a perfect foil to Evans’ expansive saxophone voice.Together, this four piece moves effortlessly between high energy fusion, deep groove, blues-inflected improvisation and cinematic jazz textures. It’s music built on decades of experience, but played with urgency and spontaneity.For jazz lovers, musicians and anyone who understands the weight of that Miles Davis lineage, this is not just another tour announcement, it’s a rare opportunity to witness one of the great living saxophonists in full flight, backed by two masters of their craft.
Flytjendur
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Bill Evans
“WHO DOES MILES DAVIS, GREGG ALLMAN, WILLIE NELSON, HERBIE HANCOCK, WARREN HAYNES AND DEREK TRUCKS ALL HAVE IN COMMON? BILL EVANS, THAT’S WHO.”
Deeply intrigued and ultimately inspired by American roots music, saxophone legend Bill Evans wrote, produced and recorded “Soulgrass” in 2005, garnering a Grammy nod in the process. Soulgrass was a breakaway new fusion of jam, rock, funk, roots and jazz, blending the banjo, fiddle, mandolin and dobro, combining the best musicians from Jazz and Americana. Three more CD’s followed in the Soulgrass genre, “The Other Side of Something”, “Dragonfly”, and the 2014 release of “Live in Moscow” recorded during the first of two sold out U.S. State Dept sponsored tours of Russia. Each subsequent release found Bill pushing the musical boundaries of Jazz and Improvisational rock. “Combining banjo and fiddle with rock guitar became very natural for me in my live band and recordings. With the addition of vocals, we were reaching a much larger audience of all ages.”
After 10 years of touring and breaking new ground with Soulgrass, in 2015 Bill introduced the “Bill Evans Band”, a hard hitting montage of Jazz, Rock, instrumental and vocals. Evans and drummer Josh Dion are both featured as the new groups lead singers. The “Bill Evans Band” features Saxophone/vocals, Guitar/vocals, bass and drums/vocals with a seamless blend of Jazz, rock and groove. “People really relate to this band. We’re not afraid to play anything. The Bill Evans Band takes people on a musical journey with jazz, funk, and rock and roll. For me, that’s the definition of jazz – Improvisation and Exploration that people can still relate to!”
“RISE ABOVE” is Bill’s latest and most accessible release to date (2016). On this, his 24th solo offering, Evans explores rich and haunting vocals from special guest singers, including legend Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, JJ Grey, Anders Osborne, Murali Coryell, and Josh Dion. Says Bill, “This recording has been an epic journey. My vision from the beginning was to record with some of my favorite singers, and work on a different song with each one of them. The goal was to still make a cohesive and solid performance out of all this music. It went far beyond my expectations. Sheer pleasure start to finish!”
“RISE ABOVE” is tied together with Evans’ pedigree and love of soulful melodies and hard-hitting grooves, as it has been from the very beginning. In addition to his powerhouse guest vocalists, this recording also features: Jake Cinninger (Umphrey’s McGee) and Mike Stern on guitar, as well as a who’s who among Jazz and Jam Band musicians.
Evans is a world-class saxophonist and producer who made his debut on the international music scene in the 1980s originally with Miles Davis, (at the age of 21 years old and recorded 6 records with Davis) which led to playing with the likes of John McLaughlin, Herbie Hancock, Mick Jagger and Willie Nelson to name a few. With 24 solo albums, Grammy nods, and countless collaborations and tours, Evans has continued to explore a dazzling variety of adventurous musical settings as a pioneering bandleader, consistently winning fans in the worldwide arena. RECENT HIGHLIGHTS include touring and/or performing with his own Bill Evans Band as well as Warren Haynes, Robben Ford (Soulgrass meets Blues), Phil Lesh & Friends, The Stern/Evans Band, Medeski Martin & Wood, and countless sit-ins with The Allman Brothers Band, Umphrey’s Mcgee, Moe, Blues Traveler, Galactic and more. Evans will be spending much of his time touring with the Bill Evans Band in support of his new album “Rise Above”.