Gil Evans, arranger, composer and bandleader extraordinaire, would have been 101 years old this May 13.

Some ways to celebrate: New Yorkers can check out nearly a week’s worth of Gil’s music played live by Ryan Truesdell’s Gil Evans Project at the Jazz Standard. Or, pull out some of Gil’s music at home: if you’re lucky enough, maybe Mosaic’s out-of-print box set: Miles Davis/Gil Evans - The Complete Columbia Studio Recordings.

In his frontespiece for the notes for that set, Quincy Jones wrote:

“In a little less than three years time, beginning in May 1958 and completed by March 1960, the collaborative efforts of jazz giants Miles Davis (trumpet-flugelhorn soloist) and Gil Evans (arranger-composer-conductor) resulted in the making of three landmark recordings still unsurpassed in the history of jazz.

“These albums, Miles Ahead, Porgy and Bess and Sketches of Spain, are the masterpieces created by the reunion of two great masters.

“If ever pushed for a choice of desert island music, Miles and Gil, these albums would indubitably be my top three. This is as good as it gets. Timeless!”

Timeless to be sure. Happy birthday, Gil.

Photo of Gil Evans by William Claxton, via @jazzstagenet.

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Ryan Truesdell enjoyed a burst of celebrity this month, when the Jazz Jorunalists Association named his Centennial: Newly Discovered Works of Gil Evans as its 2013 Record of the Year, and named his Gil Evans Project its Best Large Ensemble of the Year. Who is Ryan Truesdell, and where is he coming from? Thoughtful answers to those questions, and a wealth of insight into Gil Evans and this project, in Edward Blanco’s interview with Truesdell in All About Jazz.

-Nick Moy

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