'Chet Baker meets Bill Evans': Rodric White quartet + guests

The Rodric White Quartet (feat. trumpeter Alan Davey and special guest singer Susan Gai Dowling) will perform the music of trumpeter / singer Chet Baker and pianist / composer Bill Evans, who recorded together on Chet’s 1959 self-titled album (Riverside Records).

Chet Baker (1929-1988), whose life was celebrated in the 2016 film Born to be Blue starring Ethan Hawke, was born in Oklahoma and rose to fame in the early 1950s with the Mulligan / Baker Quartet. He later recorded with notable artists such as Stan Getz, Art Pepper, Jim Hall, Herbie Hancock and Elvis Costello.

Bill Evans (1929-1980) gained recognition in the jazz world on Miles Davis’ 1959 album Kind of Blue. He then formed landmark trios with bass players Scott La Faro, Eddie Gomez and Marc Johnson, as well as drummers Paul Motian, Elliot Zigmund and Joe LaBarbara. Evans redefined jazz piano, influencing pianists Keith Jarrett, Jacky Terrasson and Brad Mehldau.

• Rodric White – pianist / singer

• Alan Davey – trumpet / trombone

• Stan Valacos – acoustic bass

• Tim Bradley – drums

• Susan Gai Dowling – special guest singer

‘Passionate performances of songs associated with the marvellous Billie Holiday made for a great night’s entertainment at Foundry 616. Rodric White’s arrangements allowed the talented six-piece band to display their considerable skills allowing the musicians to entertain and display their skills as soloists and as an ensemble.’ – Mark Pigott (Sydney Arts Guide)

‘It surprised me to hear him announce a Keith Jarrett number. Even more so when [Rodric] played an extract from the Koln Concert. That took guts…’ – John Fenton NZ Jazz Critic (Australia & Pacific Gigs Review)