The Ivory Hunters

Bill Evans, Bob Brookmeyer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1959
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Blue Note Records
• ASIN: B000005GW7
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #231,734 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #77 in Music > Indie Music > Jazz > Cool Jazz

Track Listings

1. Honeysuckle Rose

2. As Time Goes By

3. The Way You Look Tonight

4. It Could Happen to You

5. The Man I Love

6. I Got Rhythm

Editorial Reviews

Bob Brookmeyer & Bill Evans (623)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A rare and unusual piano duo with contrasting styles., December 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Ivory Hunters (Audio CD)

Brookmeyer never unpacks his valve trombone, and teams up with Bill Evans on piano. Recorded one afternoon in 1959, Brookmeyer offers a staight-ahead, technically rich piano style that contrasts with the more laid back, spontaneous, and lyrical one that became the hallmark of Bill Evans.

At the time of this recording, Brookmeyer was an established trombonist with several records to his name. Evans was emerging as a phenomonal pianist, having just joined the Miles Davis quintet in 1958.

The tracks recorded were standards (someone liked Gershwin), with the faster paced ones (Honeysuckle Rose) spotlighting Brookmeyer and the slower paced ones (The Man I Love) allowing Evans to show his stuff. Typical of the stereo style of the day, Brookmeyer is heard on the left channel and Evans on the right, with Percy Heath on bass and Connie Kay on drums mixed across both channels.

This is a "must have" CD for jazz enthusiasts because of the unusual instrumentation, and as a point of reference in the developing career of Bill Evans.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars just a bit of info for the last reviewer..., July 23, 2005

By 

soundandimage (omaha, ne United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ivory Hunters (Double Barrelled Piano) (Audio CD)

Actually Mr. Brookmeyer's first instrument IS piano. He studied piano & composition at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. He took up the valve-trombone in the early fifties.

4.0 out of 5 stars An unlikely pairing that works!, July 3, 2004

By 

JayMusic "jaymusic" (NJ, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ivory Hunters (Double Barrelled Piano) (Audio CD)

This is a curious yet very satisfying and fun record too often neglected or glossed over by Evans fans and scholars. Recorded in March 1959 -- just twelve days in NYC after the first "Kind of Blue" sessions fort Miles -- Bill is joined by veteran jazz trombonist Bob Brookmeyer -- here on piano.

It's a fun, inventive romp through seven durable pop standards, and reveals a quite adventurous Evans and a surprisingly good Brookmeyer. ("Surprisingly", since piano is not his first instrument). Brookmeyer, of course, went on to be a consummate arranger, leader of one of most exciting big bands in jazz today, and of course, always a very thoughtful and creative trombonist.

The two-piano arrangements are calculated for who does what and when, and the contrasts between the two keyboards are a great example of two learned musicians who rarely clash, yet are willing to take chances and revel in the process. The MJQ rhythm section of Percy Heath and Connie Kay keep a nice non-interference backing, and hearing Bill with someone else on piano is quite an experience. Mr. Brookmeyer more than holds his own, providing sturdy, yet often uncompromising voicings, inspired fills and flowing lines for Bill's intelligent solos and chording-- and Bill returns the favor, being rhythmically playful, yet giving great support and adding some playful comments as Brookmeyer gets more than just a few good licks in.

One has to wonder if any of this was an impetus for four years later, when Bill recorded his first "Conversations" album (which won the Grammy ), overdubbing himself on three tracks.

Every tune here is a highlight, and the performances upbeat and diverse, so it's more than just a fun ride. This record seems to go in and out of print, so pick it up -- a worthy Evans recording, even though at a steep import price.