Bill Evans, Saxophone, 1958, Clarendon Hill, IL
The first instrument Bill learned was the piano but later he took up the saxophone. After formal training at the university and conservatory level he studied privately with Dave Liebman in the mid '70s. He moved to New York in 1978 and then on Liebman's recommendation, he joined Miles Davis, where he began receiving international recognition. During this same period he also recorded with Mark Egan and Danny Gottlieb. In 1983 he made his first recordingas a leader of his own group. After leaving Miles in 1984 he performed as a soloist, but also worked with John McLaughlin's Mahavishnu Orchestra. Evans works in a style that represents a fine example of jazz-rock.Walter Page, Bass, 1900, Gallitan, MO
In the early '20s Walter played occasionally with Bennie Moton's band, and in 1925 he formed his own group, The Blue Devils, in Oklahoma City. At various times Walter's group included people like Hot Lips Page, Buster Smith, Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, and Lester Young. The Blue Devils became one of the most prominent bands in the South West. In 1931 Page was forced to give up the band due to financial problems and he went with Bennie Moten where he stayed until 1934. From 1936 until 1942 he enjoyed a fruitful association with the Count Basie orchestra as part of one of the most famous rhythm sections in the history of jazz. His playing allowed Joe Jones to keep the pulse of the band with his famous hi-hat cymbal technique. Page was the creator of the walking bass style. Later, apart from his second period with Basie, (1946-49), he worked mainly on a freelance basis with numerous Swing and Dixieland bands in the New York area. Walter Page died in 1957.
