Marc Johnson

Learn from one of the most acclaimed legends of jazz drumming, Peter Erskine. Peter demonstrates and discusses the jazz ride pattern, ride cymbal technique, basic jazz independence and coordination, improvisation and composition, and more. This video provides a wealth of ideas and information plus incredible trio performances featuring John Abercrombie and Marc Johnson.

Pianist Bill Evans (1929–1980) was one of the most influential jazz musicians of his instrument from his first recordings to his last. He possessed a very personal touch combined with a unique harmonic style. He played in many different instrumental settings, but he is best remembered for his many trio recordings and his less numerous solo albums. A very introverted figure, Evans' life was tormented by an addiction to drugs that proved fatal. The selections on this DVD—taken from a single concert—show him performing marvelous music with the members of his last regular trio—bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Joe La Barbera—nearly a year and a half before his tragic and untimely death. Among the highlights are versions of Gary McFarland's waltz "Gary's Waltz" and of Bill Evans' own composition "Turn Out the Stars". Live in Iowa, January 30, 1979.